A 55-year-old priest has filed a lawsuit in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, alleging he was sexually abused in 2000 by high-profile Canadian priest and Vatican expert Father Thomas Rosica, CSB.
The World Youth Day 2002 national director and Salt+Light Television founder denies the allegations and is asking the court to dismiss the case, arguing it should be dealt with in an ecclesiastical court under Canon Law.
London Bishop Ronald Fabbro is also facing scrutiny for failing to act on the allegations as superior general of the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilians), Father Rosica’s order, at the time of the alleged abuse. The plaintiff’s lawsuit alleges the Basilian Fathers of Toronto failed to supervise Father Rosica and that the order knew of similar allegations against Father Rosica and “took steps to attempt to cover-up the behaviour,” according to Catholic news site The Pillar, which first reported the lawsuit.
The Basilian Fathers removed Father Rosica’s faculties for priestly ministry in March, reported The Pillar. An attorney for the order did not respond to a request for comment.
None of the allegations have yet been heard in a court of law.
The lawsuit was filed in March and alleges the newly ordained priest was invited to help Father Rosica prepare for World Youth Day, which drew thousands of young Catholics to Toronto in the summer of 2002. The lawsuit says Father Rosica developed a close relationship of “authority and trust” with the young priest, allowing him to “prey upon him and sexually abuse him.”
The lawsuit does not identify the plaintiff-priest by name, but The Pillar said it knows his identity and he has declined to answer questions about the case.
The lawsuit accuses Father Rosica’s order, the Basilian Fathers of Toronto, of being “vicariously responsible and liable for the actions of Rosica,” reported OSV News. The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial and damages of at least CA$ 3.7 million plus court costs.
Father Rosica and his lawyer declined to comment to OSV News, saying it is a legal matter.
In a statement of defence filed with the court, Father Rosica denied the allegations and any “close personal relationship with the plaintiff in any capacity” as well as “any position of authority over the plaintiff.”
The statement of defence also said, “The relationship between the parties to this matter and the duties and obligations of the parties are governed by the Codes of Canon Law.”
The Basilian Fathers of Toronto also argue the matter should be dealt with canonically rather than in a court of law, according to OSV News.
In a separate statement of defence, the order said, “As an ordained priest, the plaintiff’s relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, including the Basilians, is governed by Canon Law and is wholly ecclesiastical in nature.”
The Basilians also said the plaintiff had not “accessed and exhausted canon law procedures in relation to the claims alleged,” according to OSV News.
With files from The Catholic Register
