Praaaze Jeeezus! No Child Left Behind by these Right Wing Christian Bastards

Former priest admits abuse of three boys

A former Roman Catholic priest acknowledged sexually abusing three boys in the 1980s, spurring a multimillion-dollar settlement in Wisconsin two decades ago.


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Roman Catholic priest acknowledged sexually abusing three boys in the 1980s, spurring a multimillion-dollar settlement in Wisconsin two decades ago.

Tom Ericksen told the Associated Press on Monday that he fondled three boys but denied having contact with a fourth child involved in the 1989 settlement with the Superior Diocese that he said totaled about $5 million. Previously, citing settlement records, the News Tribune reported the now-defrocked priest and the diocese settled with two individuals for $3 million.

“I just fondled and stuff like that,” Ericksen said during the interview in the lobby of his Kansas City apartment building.

“But I can’t say I didn’t do inappropriate things. ... But I never had sex” with them, he said, adding that he has not abused any children since leaving the priesthood.

One of Ericksen’s victims, James Eck, said now that his former priest has admitted to the abuse “there needs to be repercussions.”

“It leaves nothing else to be proved,” Eck said. “And as far as I’m concerned, he needs to come back to Wisconsin and face the consequences.”

Last week, the News Tribune reported that Ericksen was suspended from his work with the Special Olympics in Kansas City after that organization learned of the settlement. Ericksen said he began volunteering with Special Olympics soon after he arrived in Kansas City.

“It’s my way of ministering now,” he said

(SURE IT IS!)

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com