G
GloriaPatri4
Guest
Lawsuit claims school knew of ex-bishop’s alleged abuse
Regina officials in Iowa City deny the accusation in the Lawrence Soens case.
SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
September 8, 2006
mud.mm-a2.yimg.com/image/401121619
Lawrence Soens, the retired bishop of the Sioux City Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was a sexual sadist who preyed on scores of boys when he was principal of Regina Catholic High School in Iowa City, allege court papers filed this week in a lawsuit against Soens, the high school and the Davenport Diocese. The inch-thick filing details plaintiff Michael Gould’s reasons why a judge should not dismiss the case against the school. Regina officials have said the school should be dropped from the lawsuit because there was no evidence anyone at the school knew of or should have known of Soens’ alleged behavior between 1959 and 1967, the years he was principal.
Former students who are suing Soens, the school and the Davenport Diocese allege that the abusive actions were so well known among students that they often recited a crude ditty about the dangers of being called into the principal’s office. The doggerel referred to the apparent pleasure that they contend Soens’ took in “purpling” students - cornering them in the hallways or office, grabbing their nipples and twisting so hard as to leave a bruise.
In his lawsuit, Gould, now a Florida resident, charges that Soens molested him and other boys whose sworn statements are included in the court filing. Gould alleges that the abuse began in 1963 and continued until he graduated.
According to the sworn statement, Soens would call Gould to his office on the pretext of discussing a disciplinary matter and close the door. Gould alleges that Soens would position himself in front of Gould and "begin rubbing
desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS/609080366/1001/NEWS
Regina officials in Iowa City deny the accusation in the Lawrence Soens case.
SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
September 8, 2006
mud.mm-a2.yimg.com/image/401121619
Lawrence Soens, the retired bishop of the Sioux City Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was a sexual sadist who preyed on scores of boys when he was principal of Regina Catholic High School in Iowa City, allege court papers filed this week in a lawsuit against Soens, the high school and the Davenport Diocese. The inch-thick filing details plaintiff Michael Gould’s reasons why a judge should not dismiss the case against the school. Regina officials have said the school should be dropped from the lawsuit because there was no evidence anyone at the school knew of or should have known of Soens’ alleged behavior between 1959 and 1967, the years he was principal.
Former students who are suing Soens, the school and the Davenport Diocese allege that the abusive actions were so well known among students that they often recited a crude ditty about the dangers of being called into the principal’s office. The doggerel referred to the apparent pleasure that they contend Soens’ took in “purpling” students - cornering them in the hallways or office, grabbing their nipples and twisting so hard as to leave a bruise.
In his lawsuit, Gould, now a Florida resident, charges that Soens molested him and other boys whose sworn statements are included in the court filing. Gould alleges that the abuse began in 1963 and continued until he graduated.
According to the sworn statement, Soens would call Gould to his office on the pretext of discussing a disciplinary matter and close the door. Gould alleges that Soens would position himself in front of Gould and "begin rubbing
desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS/609080366/1001/NEWS