Thursday, January 13, 2011

Man suing New Ulm diocese over clergy sex abuse claims

A man who alleges he was sexually abused by an Irish priest when he was 8-years-old is suing Catholic dioceses in Minnesota and Ireland. 

It's the first lawsuit brought by prominent St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson as part of his new venture to take on clergy sex abuse cases in Europe.


Anderson and London-based solicitor of England and Wales Ann Olivarius announced at a news conference Tuesday in London the launch of a legal practice formed to advocate for victims of clergy abuse in Britain.


Anderson, who for the past 27 years has taken on thousands of cases in the U.S. defending victims of clergy sex abuse, said Olivarius approached him about a partnership. 

She met with him in Minnesota in July and "made an immediate connection," said Anderson, who spoke by phone following the news conference.


"Her skills and heart are in the same place. We really felt that this was something that needed to be done and that we were the ones to do it. It's a problem here [Europe] that has not been addressed in a way that it could be and should be. I believe we can do something about it and make a difference for the kids who need us."


On Monday, Anderson and Olivarius filed their first joint case in federal court in Minneapolis. 

Defendants listed are Irish priest, Francis Markey, the Diocese of Clogher in Ireland, the Diocese of New Ulm in Minnesota and facilities in the United States and Europe where Markey received treatment.


Markey is alleged to have molested children in Ireland and the United States. 

The suit accuses the defendants of trying to cover up Markey's abuse and failing to prevent him from further harming children.


The Diocese of New Ulm said Tuesday it is reviewing the suit and did not immediately have a comment about it.


According to the suit, Markey was ordained a priest in 1952 and worked in the Diocese of Clogher. 

Between 1964 to 1974, he was suspended three times after being accused of sexually abusing children and was sent to treatment. 

But following treatment, he still was able to resume his priestly duties.


After being treated at a facility in New Mexico in 1981, Markey was assigned in 1982 to New Ulm. 

It's there the same year he's accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy, who is now an adult and plaintiff in the case. 

His name is not mentioned in the suit.


Last year, Markey was extradited from Indiana to Ireland to stand trial in the rape of a 15-year-old boy in 1968.

SIC: MST/USA