Another sexual abuse lawsuit filed against priest, diocese
By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, July 16, 2004
A former altar boy at now-closed St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sioux City has claimed he was sexually abused by the priest serving as the parish pastor.
In the suit, filed Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court, Randy Huser said the Rev. George McFadden committed repeated acts of sexual abuse on church property when Huser was under 14 years of age in 1965 or '66.
Huser said in the suit that McFadden's actions "rose to the level of being oppressive and/or conniving to harass or injure" him.
The lawsuit is the 19th filed against McFadden and the Diocese of Sioux City. Four of the suits were settled and dismissed last month.
Like the individuals who have filed the other suits, Huser is accusing McFadden and the diocese of sexual abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, negligent supervision and conspiracy. All the lawsuits allege the diocese knew McFadden was sexually abusing boys and girls, but instead of stopping him, transferred him to other parishes to cover up his actions.
Damages in Huser's lawsuit are said to exceed $10,000. He said he suffers from anxiety attacks, sleeping difficulty, nightmares, loss of self-esteem, loss of trust and withdrawal from others as a result of the alleged abuse.
Most of the suits against McFadden are from former parishioners at St. Francis, where he was pastor in the 1960s. Other lawsuits allege abuse while McFadden was at Immaculate Conception parish in Sioux City and St. Joseph's in Jefferson.
McFadden is retired and living in another state. He has been suspended of his priestly duties and is prohibited from saying Mass and performing other functions of a priest.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
In the suit, filed Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court, Randy Huser said the Rev. George McFadden committed repeated acts of sexual abuse on church property when Huser was under 14 years of age in 1965 or '66.
Huser said in the suit that McFadden's actions "rose to the level of being oppressive and/or conniving to harass or injure" him.
The lawsuit is the 19th filed against McFadden and the Diocese of Sioux City. Four of the suits were settled and dismissed last month.
Like the individuals who have filed the other suits, Huser is accusing McFadden and the diocese of sexual abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, negligent supervision and conspiracy. All the lawsuits allege the diocese knew McFadden was sexually abusing boys and girls, but instead of stopping him, transferred him to other parishes to cover up his actions.
Damages in Huser's lawsuit are said to exceed $10,000. He said he suffers from anxiety attacks, sleeping difficulty, nightmares, loss of self-esteem, loss of trust and withdrawal from others as a result of the alleged abuse.
Most of the suits against McFadden are from former parishioners at St. Francis, where he was pastor in the 1960s. Other lawsuits allege abuse while McFadden was at Immaculate Conception parish in Sioux City and St. Joseph's in Jefferson.
McFadden is retired and living in another state. He has been suspended of his priestly duties and is prohibited from saying Mass and performing other functions of a priest.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
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