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  Dozen Men File Sex Abuse Lawsuit against Spokane Catholic Diocese

KXLY [Spokane WA]
Downloaded January 21, 2004

On Wednesday, 12 men will speak publicly about years of sexual abuse they allegedly suffered and the lawsuit they're filing against the Spokane Catholic diocese as a result.

The men claim the abuse happened at St. Mary's School and Catholic Church in Chewelah between 1945 and 1962.

The suit alleges that head Pastor Joseph Knecht and Assistant Pastor, James O'Malley, engaged in widespread abuse of alter boys and students at the school.

A statement from the Diocese Vicar General saying this was not unexpected.

"These additional suits with new plaintiffs have been expected in part because the bishop has been urging anyone who was abused and hadn't come forward to please come forward by either contacting the diocese or an attorney," explained Father Steve Dublinski of the Spokane Catholic Diocese in a written statement