Rick Dean
Registered
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stor...ainst+ex-priest
3 more file abuse suits against ex-priest
By Lauren Todd
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/12/2004
Three more civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse were filed Thursday against the former Rev. Michael McGrath, who faces more such allegations than any priest in the area.
The suits allege that McGrath abused three boys, ages 12 to 15, between 1982 and 1988 in his van during field trips and at his home. The boys
elonged to St. Bernadette's Church and St. Simon the Apostle Church at the time. The lawsuits seek unspecified damages.
Susan Carlson, one of the lawyers representing the victims, said suits were
fi
led in St. Louis Circuit Court against McGrath, the St. Louis Archdioce
se and Archbishop Raymond Burke.
Several members of the support group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, lawyers representing the victims and another plaintiff suing McGrath assembled for a news conference outside the archdiocesan chancery office in the Central West End.
SNAP intended to light 17 candles to symbolize each victim alleging sexual abuse by McGrath, but windy weather prevented that.
The latest suits identify the alleged victims as John Doe SP, John Doe RS1 and John Doe 108. Two of the victims still live in the St. Louis area.
Monsignor Richard Stika said the archdiocese has no comment on the suits. He emphasized that McGrath has not worked in the church for years.
<
br>
McGrath, 57, grew up in St. Louis and lives in Richmond Heights. He was a priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1975 to 1997. He was removed from active duty as a priest i
n 1997. He
has worked as a Bi-State bus driver. He has never been charged with a crime.
3 more file abuse suits against ex-priest
By Lauren Todd
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/12/2004
Three more civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse were filed Thursday against the former Rev. Michael McGrath, who faces more such allegations than any priest in the area.
The suits allege that McGrath abused three boys, ages 12 to 15, between 1982 and 1988 in his van during field trips and at his home. The boys
elonged to St. Bernadette's Church and St. Simon the Apostle Church at the time. The lawsuits seek unspecified damages.
Susan Carlson, one of the lawyers representing the victims, said suits were
fi
led in St. Louis Circuit Court against McGrath, the St. Louis Archdioce
se and Archbishop Raymond Burke.
Several members of the support group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, lawyers representing the victims and another plaintiff suing McGrath assembled for a news conference outside the archdiocesan chancery office in the Central West End.
SNAP intended to light 17 candles to symbolize each victim alleging sexual abuse by McGrath, but windy weather prevented that.
The latest suits identify the alleged victims as John Doe SP, John Doe RS1 and John Doe 108. Two of the victims still live in the St. Louis area.
Monsignor Richard Stika said the archdiocese has no comment on the suits. He emphasized that McGrath has not worked in the church for years.
<
br>
McGrath, 57, grew up in St. Louis and lives in Richmond Heights. He was a priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1975 to 1997. He was removed from active duty as a priest i
n 1997. He
has worked as a Bi-State bus driver. He has never been charged with a crime.