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Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago Sued by Two Women Alleging Clergy Sex Abuse in the 1960?s

Two women who say they were the victims of clergy sex abuse in the 1960?s are suing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. The priest named in the federal lawsuit as their perpetrator is Anthony Vader, who church officials removed from public ministry in 2003 because of his misconduct.

The two plaintiffs are African-American. In their clergy sex abuse lawsuit, they accuse the Chicago archdiocese of racial bias in terms of how they treat sex abuse victims that are black. They claim that the archdiocese places a higher burden of proof that sex abuse occurred on African-American victims. The spokesperson for the archdiocese claims that this allegation is false.

The child sex abuse victims are both 58-year-old women. They studied at Laurence Catholic School in Chicago. The school is no longer open. Vader served as parish pastor at the school from 1964 to 1968.

One of the women says that Vader molested her over a five-year period?from the time she was 9 to 14. She says that she experienced post-traumatic stress, nervous breakdowns, anxiety, and other mental and emotional issues because of the abuse he inflicted on her. The other woman says that Vader abused her before she turned 13 and when she was 17. The women?s attorney is calling for a settlement and noted that one of the women is dying from cancer.

Clergy Sex Abuse
The emotional and psychological effects of any kind of sexual abuse on a victim can last a lifetime. Ramifications may include chronic depression, sexual issues, substance abuse, trust issues, and broken relationships. Sexual abuse by a priest can add even more intensity to this act of betrayal. Not only is a trusted adult abusing the victim, but the perpetrator is a supposed representative of God.

While the physical injuries from any type of sex abuse may heal with time, the emotional injuries may be harder to identify. However, there are ways to hold your perpetrator accountable for the harm that you continue to suffer.

Priest lawsuit: 2 women sue Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and a reprimanded priest, alleging abuse in 1960s and current racial bias, Chicago Tribune, May 11, 2009

2 women sue Chicago archdiocese, priest, Chicago Breaking News, May 10, 2009

The Effects of Sexual Abuse Never Go Away, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, February 3, 1997

Related Web Resources:
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago

Abuse in the Catholic Church, Boston Globe

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on May 11, 2009 (boomark / email).