Tremont & Sheldon Announces 22 Million Dollar Settlement with Archdiocese of Hartford
October 31, 2005
BRIDGEPORT, CT - Oct. 31, 2005, 12:01 a.m. - The law firm of Tremont & Sheldon, along with other claimants' attorneys, reached a 22 million dollar settlement with the Archdiocese of Hartford on behalf of forty-three (43) clergy sex abuse survivors. To date Tremont & Sheldon has represented over one hundred (100) victims of childhood sexual abuse against area dioceses. In March of 2001, Tremont & Sheldon reached a confidential global settlement with the Diocese of Bridgeport and its predecessor bishop, Cardinal Edward Egan on behalf of twenty-four (24) individuals, most of whom had lawsuits pending for over eight (8) years. Then in October of 2003 Tremont & Sheldon reached a 21 million dollar global settlement with the Diocese of Bridgeport on behalf of forty (40) additional victims. This is the first global settlement that Tremont & Sheldon has reached with the Archdiocese of Hartford. Tremont & Sheldon has settled additional childhood clergy abuse claims apart from these mediations.
THE SETTLEMENT
The 22 million dollar settlement was the result of a lengthy mediation process in which United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel of the United States District Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut agreed to serve as the mediator. Judge Garfinkel served as the mediator in both the 2001 and 2003 mediations. This most recent mediation involves forty-three (43) victims. In total, these individuals were sexually molested by one of fourteen (14) priests within the Archdiocese of Hartford.
As a result of pending statute of limitations, Tremont & Sheldon filed five (5) lawsuits involving three (3) claims against Father Thomas Glynn, deceased, one (1) claim against Father Stephen Foley, and one (1) claim against Father Raymond Paul. Father Foley was suspended from his clergy duties in 1993. Additional claims of childhood clergy sexual abuse involve the following priests: Father Joseph Buckley; Father Stephen Crowley; Father Ivan Ferguson; Father John Graham; Father Felix Maguire; Father Daniel McSheffery; Father Edward Muha; Father Louis Paturzo; Father William Przybylo; Monsignor Edward Reardon and Father Kenneth Shiner.
Once again, Judge Garfinkel agreed to devote his time, patience and energy during this most recent mediation. "Judge Garfinkel's contribution to the successful resolution of these most difficult matters has been immeasurable. Once again, the Judge was able to gain the trust of all of the victims, which is no easy task given what they have been through. This, combined with the Judge's knowledge of the issues and unsurpassed ability to bring opposing sides together allowed us to succeed. We offer our sincere thanks to Judge Garfinkel," said Attorney Cindy L. Robinson of Tremont & Sheldon. "Unfortunately, it is clear from past history that we will see sex abuse claims against the church in the future. Tremont & Sheldon will continue to vigorously investigate and pursue these matters throughout the State of Connecticut," said Robinson. Under current state law, victims of childhood sexual assaults have until their 48th birthday to bring a claim in court.
HISTORY OF ABUSES
John Francis Whealon was appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1968 and served until his death in 1991. Most of these claims of childhood sexual molestations occurred during the period of time that Whealon served as Archbishop, specifically including sexual assaults by Father Stephen Crowley, Father Thomas Glynn and Father Louis Paturzo.
Father Crowley abused numerous children over the years while at St. Francis of Assisi School in Torrington, Connecticut. In fact, the abuse of three (3) claimants in this resolution occurred during an 8 year time span. Of great concern is the fact that in 1983 a group of parents, after learning that their children were abused by Crowley, complained to Archbishop Whealon. Unfortunately, the parents were treated as if they did something wrong and were threatened that legal action would be taken against them if the matter was pursued.
While Father Thomas Glynn was at St. Matthew Church in Forestville and St. Clare Church in East Haven, Connecticut, he preyed upon the children of the most religious parishioners. He would get close to the children who were working at the parish and take them to the movies, on trips and to dinner. Glynn, who was a heavy drinker, would ply the children with alcohol and sexually abuse them in the worst way at the rectory and on trips. In the 1980's, a childhood abuse victim complained as an adult to Archdiocesan officials regarding Glynn's abuses, but nothing was done. Glynn died in 1993.
Father Louis Paturzo sexually assaulted young boys during his very first church assignment in 1974 at Sacred Heart Church in Waterbury. These assaults continued during the period of time that he was affiliated with Blessed Sacrament Church in Hamden. At that time, parents of a young victim complained about Paturzo to the pastor. Nothing was done and Paturzo was allowed to continue to work with children in the affiliated church school. In 2002, Paturzo admitted molesting boys at an earlier point in time. Paturzo is still listed as a priest on the Archdiocese's website.
Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin was appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese in 1991 and served until his retirement in 2003. Court claims regarding childhood sexual abuse were brought against the Archdiocese during Archbishop Cronin's term. The current Archbishop of Hartford is Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell who was appointed and installed in 2003.
EFFECT OF RESOLUTION
In achieving the first global resolution against the Archdiocese of Hartford, Tremont & Sheldon has remained committed to ensuring that childhood victims of clergy sex abuse are compensated for the horrible acts perpetrated against them. "By giving victims a voice, we can help change the behavior of the Church and finally force the Archdiocese to acknowledge responsibility for the past." said Attorney Jason E. Tremont of Tremont & Sheldon.
It has been a privilege to represent the survivors of these horrific assaults, who have shown incredible courage during this process. "We hope that this settlement will in some way assist them in their ongoing healing process," said Attorney Douglas Mahoney of Tremont & Sheldon. The effect of being sexually exploited, abused or assaulted as a child by a priest will leave permanent scars on all of the claimants. However, in coming forward and speaking out about the terrible things that happened to them as children, they have undoubtedly raised the public's awareness of these abuses resulting in the formation and implementation of sexual abuse prevention policies. Hopefully, vigilant enforcement of these policies will prevent future assaults upon children.
Tremont & Sheldon asks the Archdiocese of Hartford to take whatever steps are necessary in order to laicize (permanent removal from the priesthood) any priest who has sexually exploited, abused or assaulted a child. Suspension from the priesthood is not enough.
WE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2005. IN ADDITION SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS KEVIN ZILE AND JAMES HACKETT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICES BETWEEN 11-1 P.M. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
STATEMENT FROM SURVIVOR, JAMES HACKETT
My name is Jim Hackett, and I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse by a priest. I was molested by Louis Paturzo, in 1976, when I was an altar boy and a middle school student at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Hamden, CT.
Twenty-nine years later, I am one of the 43 plaintiffs in today's settlement with the Hartford Archdiocese. While I am grateful that the diocese has offered this compensation, I want to make it perfectly clear that no amount of money can replace what was taken from me at the hands of a child molester who wore a Roman collar and called himself, "Father." No financial compensation can even begin to make up for the horror that I endured and the subsequent feelings of loneliness and rage that are all too common for the victims of such atrocities against children.
My reason for coming forward, and going public with my story today, is to help people understand what the church leadership has done in the past and what it continues to do today to cover up for priests who molest children. Regardless of what the church states publicly, they are still allowing child molesters to remain in active ministry.
You may recall that in May of 2002 Louis Paturzo publicly acknowledged two complaints that he fondled adolescent boys. Those complaints resulted in Paturzo resigning from his work with students at a Hartford middle school, and in the Hartford Archdiocese placing him on "indefinite administrative leave." It was said at that time that he was "barred from any type of ministry." But, even now he remains in active ministry and he continues to use the titles "Reverend" and "Father" in his public activities. Today, he remains a Chaplain at the Brooklyn Correctional Institution in the Norwich Diocese. He is the Chairperson of the City of Hartford's Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. And, he remains on the Board of Directors of Community Partners in Action.
As a member of the church, and a victim of Paturzo's, I need to know why the church allows this admitted child molester to work as a prison chaplain after the U.S. Conference of Bishops, in 2002, decided that they would enforce a one-strike rule against such priests. When Archbishop Mansell was Bishop of the Buffalo Diocese, he said, "[…] after Dallas, one incident and you have to go, regardless of what has happened in the ensuing period." It appears to me that the leaders of the Catholic Church are still not practicing what they preach.
With regard to Louis Paturzo's work outside of the church, I have to wonder why the City of Hartford gives the honor of a chairmanship to an admitted child molester, especially after a retired Hartford police officer said three years ago that, he and many of his colleagues were suspicious of Paturzo's relationships with gang members, and, "This is a guy who should not be working with teen-agers, period."
It is said that one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. I believe that to be true. Also, I would contend that sexual molestation of children is no more prevalent within the priesthood of the Catholic Church than in other segments of the population. I believe that there are certain people who will commit such crimes regardless of their religion, race, marital status, or sexual orientation. What has made child molestation by priests the crisis that it has now become is the church leaders' history of covering up for these people and enabling them to pursue and molest more victims. They are essentially moving the bad apples from one place to another, time and time again.
In coming out publicly with my story today, my hope is that people will realize that the reason there was a settlement issued is because church leaders have allowed child molesters to harm the children of your community, then protected those molesters from prosecution, and moved them to other communities where they were free to molest more children. I believe the only way we are going to change the status quo here is through a grassroots movement. I would encourage all church members to write to your Pastor and your Bishop. Tell them that the church needs to practice what it preaches and protect the innocent, not allow children to be used as the sexual objects of predators who have broken their vows, broken cardinal law, and broken civil law. If you really want to make an impact in this regard, then please write to the members of your diocesan council. Tell them that during their next annual meeting with Archbishop Mansell they need to let him know that his laity is not happy about what has been going on, and as a leader of the church he needs to take a stand to put an end to the practice of covering up for the sexual abusers who are serving holy communion to his flock.
I would like to encourage other victims of sexual abuse, by Louis Paturzo or any other predator, to come forward and get help, even anonymously. I know it is an embarrassing thing to do. I contemplated doing so for many years, but never thought it would do any good. Since then, I have come to learn that I was not the only victim. This problem is bigger than just me, and fixing it is more important than hiding my embarrassing secret - as I did for three decades. People need to know what has happened in the past so that we can prevent other children from having to go through the same things we have gone through. I hate to think how many children may have suffered because I didn't take actions beyond contacting the church about Paturzo's abhorrent behavior in 1976. The church did nothing to prevent the harming of more children after my parents contacted our Pastor regarding Paturzo's criminal actions. He remained a gym teacher and basketball coach at the middle school I attended watching young boys shower and change their clothes in the locker room. Paturzo still had unsupervised access to other young boys, even after multiple families complained about similar incidents. Looking back on it now, I should have contacted the police and not church authorities.
In closing I would like to thank my friend, the CT state leader of SNAP (The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests and Religious Figures), Landa Mauriello-Vernon. My involvement with the chapter that she started almost two years ago has been an empowering and healing experience for me. I would also like to thank Judge Garfinkel and my attorneys. Your sensitivity and outstanding professionalism in this matter have made an extremely difficult process as painless as possible. And finally, I would like to thank my family for the love and support they have given to me on the long and lonely road that I have traveled to go from victim of sexual abuse to survivor.
My name is Jim Hackett, and I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a priest.
STATEMENT FROM SURVIVOR, KEVIN ZILE
Victims of abuse do not fear death or hell, for they have lived it from the day they were first defiled. Therapy and going through the legal process has helped victims regain some control and understanding, but the trauma of what we have experienced will never end. There is no cure that will eliminate the flashbacks, nightmares and fear. At least now we are receiving the help we deserve. But what about our spouses, children, families and friends who have been forever negatively impacted by our abuse? Who will speak for them? Who will comfort and treat their pain?
Over twenty years ago I went to the Archdiocese of Hartford and told them of my abuse. I pleaded with them not to let my abuser have access to children…not to let another innocent child go through the horror I had experienced. My request went unheeded. As my religion had taught me, I prayed everyday for forgiveness and my ability to forgive my abuser.
Four years ago the effects of my abuse became so intense that I had to step down from my job and take a leave of absence. Over the past thirty years, like so many other victims, I experienced several serious suicide attempts. At this time in my life I was completely without hope.
From the very beginning of telling my story, I have only wanted to save another child from the agony of abuse. My church, my religion, my Pope did nothing. Pope John Paul never mentioned that thousands of his flock had been victims of the priests we were taught were God's representatives on earth. Instead he elevated Bishop Bernard Law (who had resigned because of his involvement with this scandal) to Cardinal, the highest office of the church.
Regardless of what the church says or does not say, the goal of all the victims is being achieved. Through their courage and all the support they have received, countless children are safe from countless predators. They have helped expose pedophiles for who and what they are whether they are clergy, coaches, teachers, neighbors or family members. But, like other historical tragedies, we will never let the world forget.
Please...Please...Please, if you were victimized or you are a loved one of an abuse victim, don't give up. Come forward to receive the help that is here for you…that you deserve.
In closing, I need to thank so many people who made the difference…those who helped guide me through a horrendous journey.
First, there was my God who intervened on three serious suicide attempts, my loving wife Robyn, and my girls, Megan and Jamie, who have suffered through so much; my brother, Rob, and sister Barb who never doubted, only helped; my best friend Karen who was always there when I couldn't confide in or trust anyone else, Jeff and Larry and their families; my dearest friend Janine who kept me going when I thought I could not and who is responsible for helping me keep the job I love and my attorneys for taking on and pursuing my case with professionalism and care.
Finally, my thanks to the most Honorable Judge William Garfinkel who has given freely of himself without remuneration. He treated all of us with dignity and compassion.
Kevin Zile
SUMMARY OF PARISH ASSIGNMENTS
Father Joseph Buckley (Deceased 1975)
Father Stephen Crowley
Father Ivan Ferguson (Deceased 2002)
Father Stephen Foley
Father Thomas Glynn (Deceased 1993)
Father John Graham
Father Felix Maguire
Father Daniel McSheffery
Father Edward Muha (Deceased 2002)
Father Louis Paturzo
Father Raymond Paul
Father William Przybylo
Monsignor Edward Reardon
Father Kenneth Shiner
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