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Old Abuse Claim Filed By Cardinal O'Connor's Nephew

By Howard M. Friedman

Taking advantage of a Delaware 2-year statute of limitations window to file old clergy abuse claims, 31-year old Rich Green, a nephew of the late New York Cardinal John O'Connor, has filed suit against the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Today's Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the abuse occurred over a 6-month period when Green was 14. The suit alleges that the late Rev. John M. McDevitt, a teacher at Philadelphia's at Northeast Catholic High School who knew that Green was O'Connor's nephew, threatened to fail Green in his religion course if he did not go along with the abuse. He also threatened to injure Green if he reported the abuse. The abuse caused Green to turn away from his religion. The suit can be brought in Delaware because the Oblates sent McDevitt to Philadelphia from Delaware knowing of his sexual abuse history.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 19, 2009 (boomark / email).