News

Diocese responds to SNAP claims of Nevada lawsuit

GREEN BAY -- At a Jan. 15, press conference in the Brown County Courthouse rotunda, Peter Isely, Midwest director of SNAP (Surviviors Network of those Abused by Priests), announced the filing of a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nev., and the Diocese of Green Bay.

	Related articles: from January 11, 2008 issue: • Diocese denies fraud charges     Director of administration says diocese will     'vigorously defend' itself against charges • Editorial --     Remembering survivors of clergy sexual abuse

The civil lawsuit was filed by a "John Doe" in the case of John Feeney, a former priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, while he was serving as a priest at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Las Vegas in 1984 and 1985.

Feeney is currently serving a 15-year prison term for sexual assault.

The Green Bay Diocese issued a statement Jan. 15 responding to the latest SNAP request.

"The Diocese of Green Bay has reviewed a copy of the complaint prepared by Attorney Jeffrey Anderson of Minneapolis, Minn. against the Diocese of Las Vegas, the Diocese of Green Bay, and John Feeney," the diocesan statement said.

"At this time we do not know if the complaint was filed in Clark County, Nevada, and no complaint has been served on the Diocese. If we are served with a complaint, we will continue in our practice of cooperating with civil authorities."

The diocese will continue to "listen to victims and train our staff and volunteers on how to create and maintain safe environments," the statement added.