Alleges cover-up of sexual abuse by high Catholic officials in the Vatican, superiors in the Salesian Society, and Bishops affiliated with the high school in Bellflower
(Los Angeles, CA) – The priest, Father Titian Miani, was known to have sexually assaulted students at a Native American boarding school in Canada, in Italy, and also in the California Diocese of Stockton. The Vatican was notified but the Pope and Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith failed to remove known sex offenders. The Lawsuit says Salesian Society was aware of Miani’s previous behavior but when transferred to Bellflower he was made Dean of Students without warning to students or families. Also named in the lawsuit is the Salesian Order of priests.
What
For many years Catholic religious orders based in Rome have with impunity shuffled priests internationally to avoid justice. The Salesian Society, the third-largest Catholic religious order received complaints in Italy, as early as the 1940’s that Father Titian “Jim” Miani was a pedophile. The Salesian Society proceeded to transfer Miani from Italy to Brazil, to California, to Canada, and back to California. There are no fewer than 13 known victims of Miani. Despite this Miani has never been defrocked and remains a priest in California.
When
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 1:00 PM (PST)
Where
Omni Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
251 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Who
Attorney Jeff Anderson, Jeff Anderson & Associates, St. Paul*
Attorney Sarah Odegaard, Jeff Anderson & Associates, St. Paul*
Attorney Mike Finnegan, Jeff Anderson & Associates, St. Paul
Attorney Anthony De Marco, Kiesel Boucher Larson, Los Angeles
*Jeff Anderson & Mike Finnegan are also attorneys of record in the Oregon case against the Vatican [John V. Doe vs. Holy See]
Notes
The lawsuit and supporting documents available at AndersonAdvocates.com on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Video of the press conference will be posted on AndersonAdvocates.com an hour after completion.
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