Omaha, Nebraska- An Omaha Archbishop has been included in a lawsuit that accuses the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of long-term sexual abuse of minors.
According to the lawsuit, the Archdiocese has been aware of instances of sexual abuse committed by various individuals within its ranks, including employees, priests, reverends, nuns, teachers, and other staff members.A group of 27 individuals filed a lawsuit anonymously.
The defendants are accused of frequently moving the perpetrators around within the Archdiocese or Catholic Church, or sending them for treatment and then allowing them unsupervised access to children.
“Our clients have bravely come forward to initiate these cases. Full justice and accountability are their rightful entitlement. “By taking these actions, we aim to bring justice and provide a sense of closure,” stated Todd Matthews and Bailey Glasser, the legal representatives for the plaintiffs in the case.
A former altar boy has come forward with allegations against Omaha Archbishop George Lucas, claiming that they were sexually assaulted during their time as a junior in high school at the Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary as reported by KETV.
“Seminarians, like many Catholic children, can be particularly vulnerable and in need of support due to their strong sense of calling to join the priesthood,” stated David Clohessy, a representative from the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests in Missouri.
The plaintiff claims to have encountered Lucas in 1988 at the St. Louis Preparatory Seminary when he was 16 years old. At the time, Lucas held the position of a priest and served as the Dean of Education at the school.