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North Carolina Man Files Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Priest and the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

In North Carolina, a man who says that he was sexually abused by a Catholic priest when he was 14 years old is suing the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and Reverend Robert Yurgel for personal injury. The plaintiff, now 24, says the abuse began in 1999 when he was an altar boy at St. Matthew Catholic Church.

According to the North Carolina sex abuse lawsuit, Yurgel initiated sexual contact with the plaintiff many times, with a number of the abuse incidents occurring on diocesan property (including Yurgel?s office at St Matthew church in Ballantyne, the Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church rectory in Charlotte, and in a parked car at St. Michael Catholic Church in Gastonia). The plaintiff says that he was afraid to report the sex abuse because of Yurgel?s close relationship with the teen?s family and role as a spiritual advisor.

In 2007, the plaintiff finally told his sister and mental health professionals about the abuse. However, his lawsuit contends that the Diocese of Charlotte knew as far back as 1999 that Yurgel was abusing him after an email from the plaintiff expressing his love to the priest was discovered.

Following the discovery of the email, the plaintiff says that Bishop William Curlin arranged a ?rush transfer? with the Capuchin Franciscan Friars and reassigned Yurgel to New Jersey. The Diocese of Charlotte denies that the rush transfer occurred.

Yurgel, 44, was arrested in April. He faces criminal charges of five counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory sex offense. He is currently free on bond.

Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
If you or someone you love was a victim of sexual abuse, you should speak with a sexual abuse lawyer to determine if you have grounds to file a North Carolina personal injury claim or lawsuit. In certain instances, an adult who was sexually abused as a child may still be able to file a claim against his or her abuser.

Former altar boy sues priest, diocese, CharlotteObserver.com, October 21, 2008

Priest faces North Carolina justice, NorthJersey.com, April 5, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Abuse in the Catholic Church, The Boston Globe

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on October 21, 2008 (boomark / email).