Man Alleging Sexual Abuse and Fraud Against Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, Area Church and Local Priest, According to Sloan Firm Filing

BEAUMONT, Texas, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- David Arceneaux of Nederland, Texas, filed suit today against The Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church in Port Arthur, Texas, and Rejimon E. George in Jefferson County District Court, alleging sexual abuse, fraud and public disclosure of private facts.  

Filed by the Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry law firm of Longview, Texas, on behalf of Arceneaux, the suit alleges that the Diocese placed August Pucar and Roger Thibodeaux, ordained Catholic priests, in positions at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland, Texas, and as a chaperone of a youth mission trip to Europe, respectively, where they allegedly molested Arceneaux - Pucar in September 1978 and Thibodeaux in Spring 1989. It is believed that the Diocese knew or should have known that Pucar and Thibodeaux were child molesters and a danger to children before they molested Arceneaux.

As a result of the sexual abuse by Pucar and Thibodeaux, and the Diocese's misrepresentations, fraud and misconduct following the abuse, and the disclosure of private facts by St. Therese and George in October 2009, Arceneaux has suffered and continues to suffer great pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, embarrassment, loss of self-esteem, disgrace, humiliation and loss of enjoyment of life.

Documents on the Diocese's website specifically state that "the first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims" of priests sexual abuse "is that of healing and reconciliation."  Other documents on the Diocese's website claim that reported abuse and the counseling that takes place will be kept confidential. Arceneaux feels that when he reported the abuse he received nothing of the kind.  Arceneaux relied on his faith and the belief that the Diocese would do the right thing.  Instead, he believes he was betrayed by the Church and effectively abused again.

"What happened to David as a child was a tragedy.  What happened to David as an adult seeking resolution, is simply unacceptable. David's courage for taking a stand against one of the most powerful organizations in the World and refusing to be a victim any longer is to be admired," stated John Sloan, of Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry law firm.

In July 2010, the Sloan firm filed suit on behalf of four individuals against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, stating they were sexually abused by a priest when they were minor children. 

For additional information, including a copy of the petition, please visit the firm's website at www.sloanfirm.com.

SOURCE Sloan Firm

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