CALIFORNIA
Digital Journal
SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Attorneys representing the victim of child sexual abuse, allegedly committed by a former priest and pastor of St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Lakeport, filed a civil lawsuit late yesterday against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa and St. Mary Immaculate Parish. The case was filed in Superior Court in Sonoma County.
The lawsuit accuses the Diocese and the Parish of failing to protect plaintiff, and all children, from a known sexual predator. Father Ted Oswald, the alleged perpetrator had been previously accused of sexual misconduct with minors dating back to the 1980’s. In 2009, the Diocese of Santa Rosa paid $1.3 million to settle another sexual abuse lawsuit against Father Oswald.
This suit alleges that Father Ted Oswald sexually abused the victim, while the victim was serving as an altar boy and participating in the parish youth group under Father Ted Oswald’s supervision.
Plaintiff’s attorney Skye Daley said, “Knowing the alleged perpetrator had a history of child sexual abuse, the Diocese of Santa Rosa and St. Mary Immaculate Parish had a responsibility to keep its parish members and their children safe from child sexual abusers. Instead, the Diocese allowed Father Ted Oswald to continue with his duties of hearing confessions from minors, overseeing altar servers, running youth programs, counseling programs and church-sponsored trips and events. The parish members were led to believe their children were safe. They were not.”
eling to the victim’s home under the guise of providing spiritual guidance and support to his family.
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