Man Sues Church, Alleging Abuse by Priest in 1970s

Garden Island
October 4, 2012

http://thegardenisland.com/news/state-and-regional/man-sues-church-alleging-abuse-by-priest-in-s/article_1f7493ad-b295-578b-a356-53a2b54898b4.html

HONOLULU (AP) — A 49-year-old Colorado man is suing the Catholic diocese serving western North Dakota, alleging one of its priests sexually abused him when he was a child in Hawaii decades ago.

A lawsuit filed in state court in Honolulu on Tuesday alleges a military chaplain sexually abused the plaintiff at an Army base around 1974 to 1975.

The plaintiff was an 11-to-12 year-old altar boy at a Fort Shafter chapel where the priest ministered to soldiers and their families. The priest now lives in Michigan.

The lawsuit accuses the Diocese of Bismarck of negligence. The diocese didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Hawaii law that went into effect in April provides a two-year window for sexual abuse claims involving minors even if the statute of limitations has expired.