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  Former Sioux City Diocese Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

KPTM
March 20, 2008

http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=8048968&nav=menu606_2

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Two former priests of the Sioux City Diocese are accused of sexually abusing a former parishioner.

A lawsuit filed Thursday names the diocese, John Kurzak and John Perdue.

The men are accused by a former Fort Dodge man of abusing him while he was a minor.

According to the lawsuit, Kurzak was a priest at Corpus Christi church at the time, and Perdue was a seminary student. The man claims Kurzak and Perdue would have gatherings where they encouraged men to engage in homosexual acts.

The lawsuit claims the diocese knew of several incidents but failed to punish the two priests. Instead, the lawsuit states, the diocese assisted in Kurzak's transfer to the military.

The diocese would not comment on the lawsuit but acknowledged Kurzak became a military chaplain in 1985 and has been with the Archdiocese for Military Services since. The diocese also says Perdue was ordained in 1985, served the diocese for about one year and hasn't served as a priest since 1987.

 
 

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