Cmdr. settles church sex abuse lawsuit

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Cmdr. settles church sex abuse lawsuit
By Randall Chase - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Sep 25, 2008 6:33:50 EDT

DOVER, Del. — A Navy doctor awarded $41 million in damages by a federal jury after alleging he was raped by a Catholic priest has settled a separate state lawsuit against church officials.

Attorneys for Cmdr. Kenneth Whitwell said Wednesday that he has settled a lawsuit against Archmere Academy in Wilmington and the Delaware, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin branches of the Norbertine religious order.

The settlement involves an undisclosed sum and apologies to Whitwell and members of the Archmere community for the abuse that Whitwell, now 40, suffered at the hands of the Rev. Edward J. Smith.

A similar settlement was reached with the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington in January, with the diocese agreeing to pay Whitwell $450,000.

Defense attorneys in the state lawsuit unsuccessfully challenged the constitutionality of a Delaware law enacted last year that allowed victims previously barred by the statute of limitations a two-year window in which to seek damages for past abuse.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_whitwell_abuse_092408/%2e