Court allows $68 million suit to proceed against Nashville Diocese

Published: 2005-01-21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- Nashville diocesan officials expressed disappointment with a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling allowing a $68 million lawsuit against the diocese to proceed even though the case concerns events involving a priest years after he left the active ministry. The unanimous ruling Jan. 18 overturned two lower court decisions that the diocese was not responsible for the emotional distress alleged by two plaintiffs because of its actions regarding Father Edward McKeown. The civil lawsuit alleges that the diocese covered up child sex abuse by Father McKeown before he was dismissed from permanent ministry in 1989. It adds that the diocese did not warn the community at the time of his dismissal of the danger he presented to children. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs cite alleged abuses that occurred from 1995 to 1999. Father McKeown is currently serving a 25-year sentence after pleading guilty in 1999 to charges of child molesting and rape. Rick Musacchio, diocesan spokesman, said the diocese will continue fighting the lawsuit.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .