Church Abuse Victims Speak about Settlement

WISCONSIN
WBAY

By Emily Matesic

Green Bay –
Two brothers who settled their lawsuit against the Green Bay Catholic Diocese are talking about that decision. Todd and Troy Merryfield say church officials knew of former priest John Feeney’s prior sexual misconduct when he abused the Merryfield brothers in 1978. In 2002, Feeney was convicted of sexual abuse.

Last May, the Merryfield’s won a civil trial and were awarded $700,000 in damages. That verdict was later overturned.

It’s been a long road for Todd and Troy Merryfield. The men have been fighting the Green Bay Catholic Diocese since 1978 when they were molested by now defrocked priest John Feeney. Today the brothers have ended their fight after settling their civil suit for $700.000.

“It’s a relief to be done doing this legal dance,” says Todd Merryfield. “That’s a relief for us.”

While the brothers are glad to be done with the legal wrangling, they tell us the money is meaningless and they are still looking for the diocese to take responsibility for its actions.

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