The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Delaware County resident Philip Gaughan is now the most recent alleged sex abuse victim to file a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He accused the archdiocese of negligence and claimed its leaders' carelessness made it possible for him to be molested as a teen.
Gaughan, 31, also contended that the victim-assistance employees at the church had been indifferent and failed to address the issue when he had sought their help. His lawsuit also alleged that the archdiocesan leaders were guilty of fraud and conspiracy because they had supposedly remained unresponsive to victims and dismissed any indications of abusive behavior.
The suit claimed Reverend John E. Gillespie, who was a pastor at the time, molested Gaughan from 1994 to 1997 when he had served as a sacristan at Our Lady of Calvary Church. A 2005 grand jury report revealed Gillespie passed away in 2008 but had kept his position as pastor even after he had admitted as early as 1994 that he was abusive to children.
Philip Gaughan said he decided to come forward with his case to help other victims of sexual abuse. "I don't want anybody to have to go through what I've had to go through," he said at a news conference. "No child should have to go through this ever again." Gaughan's case also reflects a previous lawsuit that was filed in February, which accused three priests and a teacher of sexually abusing minors.
To learn about your legal options in a case like this, meet with a Philadelphia personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and explain how to proceed with a claim. For more general information on other cases similar to Gaughan's, browse through the Related Resources links below.
Related Resources:
- What Is Negligence? (FindLaw's Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Blog)
- Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Sued For Endangering Children (FindLaw's Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Blog)
- PA Man, 64, Comes Forward About Sexual Abuse From Rev. (FindLaw's Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Blog)
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