Miami Fla Nov 17 2012 The Miami Archdiocese faces another child abuse lawsuitinvolving an accused serial molester already being held in the In a lawsuit, Fr. Neil Doherty is accused of drugging andsexually molesting Dennis Montero almost three decades ago as the priest“blessed him” and told the then 15-year-old “his job was to share God’s love.’’
“He drugged me repeatedly and raped me repeatedly. This guyis a monster,” Montero, 43, said Thursday. “I ended up punishing myself withdrugs and alcohol to deal with the pain.’’
Doherty, 69, already named in more than two dozen sex-abuselawsuits, is in jail awaiting trial on a charge of sexually assaulting a minorin
Montero said he came forward after seeing Doherty on thetelevision news accused in a separate child abuse case.
“I didn’t even know his last name, he was just Father Neilto me. And then I saw him on TV and found out about all the cases,’’ he said.“I didn’t think I had any legal recourse.’’
In response to the new lawsuit, the Archdiocese issued astatement explaining its policy on sexual abuse allegations, a process thatincludes a report made to the State Attorney’s office, an internal ArchdiocesanReview Board review and pastoral care and counseling offered to any allegedvictim.
“As always, the Catholic Church’s concerns are for thevictims and a prevailing sense of justice and healing,’’ the statement reads.“Over these past ten years, the Archdiocese has been forthcoming and takensteps to keep children safe through training and background screenings of allits employees, volunteers, clergy and teachers.
The lawsuit outlines a pattern of sexual abuse and accusesthe Archdiocese of systematically covering up the history and allegationsagainst Doherty and failing to protect children.
For 18 months beginning sometime in 1984, Doherty allegedlyprowled the
“Dennis was a troubled youth who would go to the trailerpark to hang out with other boys and smoke marijuana,’’ according to thelawsuit.
They met at that trailer park where Doherty allegedly gaveMontero wine that has been laced with drugs. Montero fell unconscious and when“Dennis awoke, he was naked with Father Doherty also naked sleeping next tohim.’’
It was the first of many episodes with Montero and Dohertyat the trailer park involving drugs, alcohol and sex, according to the lawsuit.The priest also gave him money and took nude photos of Montero.
Montero said he never recovered, was in and out of prisonfor 11 years and worked the occasional odd job. He now lives with his girlfriend in Miami-Dade.
The lawsuit seeks compensation from the archdiocese inexcess of $5 million.
Montero’s attorney Jeff Herman held a press conference onThursday where Montero shared his story.
Hours before the afternoon press conference, The Archdioceseof Miami distributed a list of questions members of the media “should keep inmind.’’
The list of questions are centered around Herman, anattorney who specializes in sex abuse cases: Is the Archdiocese of Miami theonly organization/person Mr. Jeffrey Herman sues; Who are the other people thatMr. Herman sues; Why doesn’t he hold press conferences for those people he issuing; Has Mr. Herman spoken with Fr. Doherty’s personal attorney; Does Mr.Herman know where Fr. Neil Doherty is right now?
“The questions are just food for thought. We are at adisadvantage because we don’t have the lawsuit in front of us. We would like toweigh in so we are suggesting the questions that I would think any journalistwould ask,’’ said spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta. “We are not asking for anybodyto be our voice.’’
source-www.miamiherald.com
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