A former altar boy who alleges he was sexually molested by a priest three decades ago has named the Vatican in a $26 million lawsuit.
The man is also suing a New York state church and the local diocese. The diocese confirmed last spring that the priest was removed from his ministry for sexual misconduct in 1985 and sent for counselling.
No criminal charges were filed. The suit alleges the church in Owego was "negligent and grossly negligent in the placement, supervision and retention of the priest" and engaged in a conspiracy to protect him.
Shortly after becoming an altar boy in 1976 when he was 11, the plaintiff was sexually abused and molested by the priest, the suit said. The abuse continued on a regular basis and the former altar boy also found a videotape showing the priest in sexual acts with about 10 other altar boys, the suit said.
The plaintiff repressed the events by becoming more involved in church activities and began abusing drugs and alcohol, the suit said.