Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New clergy sex abuse settlement is reached
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is disclosing a recent $215,000 settlement of a child molestation report against an ex-California priest who’s never been publicly accused of sex crimes before.
According to leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel Walsh made the payment in August to a man who says he was molested as a child by Fr. Thomas Parker.
The victim approached the diocese through a Sacramento attorney, Joseph George (916 442 7100, 802 7949 cell), who has handled dozens of similar cases across the state.
In September 2007, Parker admitting abusing the boy in a conversation with church officials. The crimes took place in 1988-89 at St. Apollinaris parish in Napa, California, when the boy was a member and Parker was on the staff.
Church officials say Parker has been defrocked.
Parker worked in these other northern California parishes: St. Francis Solano in Sonoma (1990), St. James in Petaluma (1991-1992), St. Patrick in Scotia (1992-1995) and is listed in the Official Catholic Director as “on sabbatical” since 1995.
CONTACT:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home
Attorney Joseph George 916 442 7100, 802 7949 cell
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