Seattle University President Fr. Stephen Sundborg has denied involvement in an alleged cover-up by Jesuit leaders over the sexual abuse of at least 43 Native Alaskan children over four decades.The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that the lawsuit, filed in Alaskan Superior Court in the city of Bethel, states that Sundborg had access to "Hell Files" - private church documents detailing things priests had done that were "not good" - when he was head of a Northwest order of Jesuits from 1990 to 1996.
At a news conference Wednesday, an attorney representing victims of abuse said Sundborg knew a Jesuit priest had sexually abused children, yet allowed that priest to serve in Alaska.
"Alaska was essentially used as a dumping ground for pedophile priests for decades," said Anchorage-based attorney Kenneth Roosa. "It was a pedophile's paradise."
Sundborg was working Wednesday, but declined through a spokesman to be interviewed. A statement from Sundborg was posted on SU's Web site that morning:
"The allegations brought against me are false. I firmly deny them. I want the victims and the entire community to know that. The complaint filed by the plaintiffs' lawyers represents an unprincipled and irresponsible attack on my reputation."
The statement continued: "Let me be clear - my commitment to justice and reconciliation for all victims remains steadfast. The sexual abuse by Catholic priests is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of our church. I will continue to work toward the goal of bringing healing to all victims."
The lawsuit says that from the 1950s to early 1990s, six priests or people they managed sexually abused - in some cases raped - Native Alaskan children.
John Manley, an attorney representing the victims, said his clients were aged 6 to 16 at the time of the alleged abuse. Forty-two plaintiffs now are in Alaska, and one in Washington.
Manley said it was not unusual for adults to come forward to complain of sexual abuse they suffered decades earlier.
"Most of the time, it comes in a delay," he said. "People ask, 'Why am I so messed up?' "
Emily Holt, an SU junior who is news editor at the student newspaper, said the campus community was shocked by allegations that Sundborg may have known about the abuse and kept quiet.
Also named in the lawsuit are the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, which includes Northwest states, and the Pioneer Education Society.
Two years ago, the order agreed to pay $50 million to dozens of Alaska Natives who were sexually abused by priests. Roosa said this is the latest wave of suits filed on behalf of victims, and that more are likely to come.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
(Source: CTHUS)