New lawsuit names Bevilacqua, Rigali and others

    Update: The suit filed today names former priest Robert Brennan, who is named in a 2005 grand jury report that alleges “suspicious behavior” with more than 20 students from four parishes.

    The Associated Press reports Brennan’s 32-year-old accuser has been hospitalized and has attempted suicide since his abuse at age 13.

    WHYY’s Elizabeth Fiedler will have the full report later.

    Original report: Attorneys today will announce another lawsuit against Cardinals Anthony Bevilacqua and Justin Rigali, Msgr. William Lynn and Father Robert Brennan of Resurrection of Our Lord parish.

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    The suit is filed on behalf of a man now living in Phoenix who says he was sexually abused by Brennan while at the Rhawnhurst parish between 1993 and 1994.

     

    A statement from lawyers Marci Hamilton, Dan Monahan and Jeff Anderson says the actions of Bevilacqua “figure large in allowing abuse” at the Northeast school.

    A press conference is set for 1 p.m.

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