Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, renowned for representing clergy abuse victims, said the victim was abused more than 100 times between 1985 and 1990, when he was between the ages of 10 and 15, while serving as an altar boy.
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, has shown “an enormous amount of courage” in coming forward, the law firm said.
Fr. Renkiewicz, ordained on May 10, 1956, served at various parishes, including Sacred Heart in New Britain, St. Ann in Devon, Immaculate Conception in Southington, and St. Stanislaus in Meriden.
He was then placed on leave and later limited to ministering at the Felician Sisters Motherhouse in Enfield.
He died on August 17, 2015.
In an official statement, the Archdiocese of Hartford said it follows a long-established policy of not commenting on abuse allegations or settlements.
However, it reiterated its continued apology and commitment to working with survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
“Archbishop Coyne and his staff are committed to doing all that is humanly possible to ensure that this never happens again and that our churches are safe places for children and families at all times,” the statement said.
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represents clergy abuse victims globally, criticized the church’s oversight.
“This case once again indicates a failure of supervisors to properly supervise a priest who sexually abused a child over years and on multiple occasions. The Catholic Church is incapable of properly supervising priests within its ranks,” he said, adding that “looking the other way” is unacceptable.
The victim, now an adult, is not available for comment.
The settlement aims to provide financial redress and support for the survivor’s ongoing healing.