WASHINGTON
Yakima Herald- Republic
By Donald W. Meyers / Yakima Herald-Republic
dmeyers@yakimaherald.com
YAKIMA, Wash. — The Diocese of Yakima continued its grilling of a clergy-abuse expert Tuesday, questioning whether he was familiar with standards for supervising deacons training to be Catholic priests.
Richard Sipe, who appeared before Judge Edward Shea via video link because of an out-of-state commitment, conceded in U.S. District Court that he was not familiar with the standards for supervision used in various dioceses around the country. Ted Buck, the diocese’s attorney, then questioned how Sipe could be familiar with what rules were in place in Yakima in 1999, when Deacon Aaron Ramirez is said to have sexually assaulted a 17-year-old boy on church property in Zillah.
The man, John Doe, alleges in court papers that Ramirez invited him into a trailer at the Resurrection Catholic Church for guitar lessons. Once there, Doe says that Ramirez plied him with alcohol and repeatedly raped him.
Ramirez fled to Mexico shortly after the incident and has not returned to the United States. Doe alleges the diocese failed to properly supervise Ramirez, among other allegations. The plaintiff brought in Sipe, who has testified the diocese failed in its supervisory capacity.
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