Green Bay Diocese Settles Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Green Bay Catholic Diocese has settled a civil lawsuit with the Merryfield brothers. The case involves former Priest John Patrick Feeney who molested the brothers in the 1970's.
A jury originally awarded the brothers 700 thousand dollars and held the Diocese accountable for not telling the Merryfields about Feeney's history of sexual abuse.
The Green Bay Diocese appealed, asking the judge to throw out the award and dismiss the case. The Diocese argued last July that a juror in the orginal trial was biased.
A second trial was scheduled to begin in May. Now the Green Bay Diocese is ending it's legal battle with the Merryfields. We spoke with Peter Isley, a founding member of Snap, an international support group for clergy abuse victims.
"I'd like to think positively. It's because they want to start a new chapter in the Green Bay Diocese and they can do that by releasing these names and information. That's what the Merryfields really wanted and that can still be done," says Iseley.
Bishop David Ricken from the Diocese released this statement today, saying, "I recognize the suffering of those who have been harmed and promise to work with all those interested in rebuilding their trust in the church,"
Details of the settlement have yet to be released, but we'll keep you updated as more information comes in.
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