Days after two victims of abuse filed suit accusing the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay of covering for a pedophile priest, the Church is responding. The suit was filed against the diocese on Wednesday, claiming the Church covered up sexual abuse by former priest John Patrick Feeney.
In 2004, Feeney was convicted of sexually abusing Todd and Troy Merryfield in the 1970s. He's current in prison serving a 15-year sentence.
The Merryfield brothers say they told their parents about the abuse and the family went to police, but the family chose not to pursue charges after the diocese promised them the problem would be solved.
Instead, according to the complaint, the diocese relocated Feeney multiple times to hide accusations of abuse.
Deacon Tim Reilly responded, "The accusation made by the plaintiffs' attorney that the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Green Bay willfully undertook fraudulent actions to harm children is utterly preposterous, and we will defend ourselves vigorously against these allegations."
Reilly says the diocese would have responded sooner but it needed a couple of days to look over the lawsuit and respond to some of the comments made by representatives of the Merryfield brothers.
He says every diocesan employee must pass a background check, and in 2002 there was a review of all priest files dating back an entire century. He admits the policies were reactive, but he says the diocese isn't hiding anything.
"Sexual abuse against minors is a reality in our society today, and it also is a reality -- has been a reality -- within the Catholic Church. For those times when sexual abuse has occurred in the Catholic Church, we are ashamed, sorry, and remorseful for these actions."
Reilly said every allegation of sexual abuse that was uncovered in 2002 involving a priest who was not deceased and every substantiated allegation since then has been reported to the appropriate authority.
He said the way personnel matters were handled in the 60s and 70s versus today are like comparing "typewriters with carbon paper" to computers.
"We have committed significant financial and staff resources to build and implement policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for our children and vulnerable adults," Reilly said.
Representatives for the Merryfield brothers say there's plenty of evidence the diocese knew of Feeney's actions and failed to report it.
Meanwhile the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is also calling on church officials in Nevada to open records and look for possible victims of Feeney when he served at a church in southern Nevada in 1985 and 1986.
A Diocese of Las Vegas spokeswoman says the Church will respond if allegations are raised about Feeney's conduct during his time in Nevada.
The Green Bay diocese says Feeney was removed from public priestly duties in 1986 and defrocked in 2005, after his conviction.
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