Deacon Joe Damiani
PRESS RELEASE February 13, 2013
Archdiocese Deacon Sues Younger Brothers and Sexual Abuse Survivors Group Because They Report Sexual Abuse
Deacon Trying to Intimidate Younger Brothers into Silence
Younger Brother Warned Parishioners When Archdiocese Failed to Act
(Minneapolis, MN) Today, an Illinois man filed his Answer and Counterclaim (Hennepin Co. District Court Case No. 27 CV 13-2627) to a lawsuit filed by his brother Joseph Damiani, who is a Deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The lawsuit was initiated by Deacon Joseph Damiani, after on November 25, 2012, David Damiani and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) distributed Child Protection Alerts to parishioners at Annunciation Catholic Church and Gichitwaa Kateri Church, churches where Deacon Joseph Damiani is assigned.
According to the Counterclaim by David Damiani filed in Hennepin County District Court today, Joseph Damiani sexually abused both David and his brother Gregory Michael Damiani, when both were children. David Damiani reported this sexual abuse to a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 2011 and to an Archdiocese investigator in July 2012. Despite these reports, Joseph Damiani remained in ministry within the Office of Indian Ministry, working with the Native American community, including children. According to the Counterclaim, David Damiani became aware that Joseph Damiani had contact with children in the Native American community who may be very vulnerable to sexual abuse and not be in the position to report that sexual abuse. The inaction by the Archdiocese prompted David to, himself, go directly to the parishioners and warn them about Joseph Damiani’s history of sexual abuse. The substance of the Counterclaim is that Joseph Damiani is prosecuting the defamation lawsuit in order to intimidate his younger brothers David and Gregory Michael Damiani into remaining silent about Joseph Damiani sexually abusing the brothers when they were kids.
According to the Complaint filed by Joseph Damiani, the reports of sexual abuse by his younger brothers are interfering with his employment with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Contacts: David Damiani (815) 871-1757
Attorney Patrick Noaker (612) 839-1080, 601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 1050, Minnetonka, MN 55305
Documents: http://noakerlaw.com/joseph-damiani-v-david-damiani-et-al-documents/
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Patrick Noaker, Attorney
Noaker Law Firm LLC
601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 1050
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(612) 839-1080 patrick@noakerlaw.com
click on images to enlarge for reading
video
Abuse Victims Leaflet Two Catholic Churches
Accused Deacon Is Still On The Job
Victims’ Group Blasts Archdiocese For Child Protection Failures
Explain Why They “Keep Children In Harm’s Way,” SNAP Says
What
As parishioners leave mass, clergy sexual abuse victims will hand out fliers about accused Deacon Joe Damiani, Director of the Office of Indian Ministry. The leaflets alert church members to sexual abuse claims and,
— Two signed and dated Rosemount Police Department Incident Report(s) (#12-0189 and #12-0245) and
— Two signed (May 3, 2012 & September 6, 2012) reports to the Archdiocese of sexual abuse by Deacon Damiani.
They will also urge Gichitwaa Kateri Catholic Church, Annunciation Catholic Church, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis to
— warn parishioners about the accusations and,
— urge anyone who may have seen, suspected, or suffered child sexual abuse to come forward, call police,
expose wrongdoing, and protect kids. Click: Damiani – Child Protection Alert leaflet.
When
Sunday, November 25 – 9:30 am – Annunciation Catholic Church and 11:00 am – Gichitwaa Kateri Catholic Church,
Where
Annunciation Catholic Church 509 54th St W Minneapolis, MN 55419 ( Map ), and Gichitwaa Kateri Catholic Church, 3045 Park Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55407, MN (Map ).
Who
Two victims of Damiani, and 3 or 4 members and supporters of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including the State Director.
Why
A deacon who has been accused twice of abuse is still on the job and victims of clergy sex abuse are demanding answers. Why are our Children In Harm’s Way?
Despite the accusations, Deacon Damiani has not been restricted, is not supervised or monitored, and is allowed to mingle with the unsuspecting families and children, all major violations of established policy:.
Article 5 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People says: “The…bishop is to exercise his power of governance,…to ensure that any priest or deacon subject to his governance who has committed even one act of sexual abuse of a minor…shall not continue in ministry.”
“Section 2.4 says: “Upon receipt of a complaint of child sexual abuse by clergy, staff, or volunteers, the[diocese,..] will refer the matter to civil authorities and begin an internal investigation according to established procedures…When civil authorities are conducting a criminal investigation, the [diocese,..] will defer to that investigative process.”
The SNAP concerns warrant Gichitwaa Kateri Catholic Church,Annunciation Catholic Church and the Archdiocese to use their church and archdiocesan websites, newspapers, parish bulletins, and other resources to find others who saw, suspected or suffered injuries and damages from abuse. SNAP says such open and transparent action is “the simplest, quickest, and cheapest ways to keep kids safe.”
CONTACT
Bob Schwiderski, Minnesota SNAP Director, (952) 471-3422, skibrs@q.com
David Clohessy, SNAP Director, (314) 566-9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, (314) 862-7688, SNAPdorris@gmail.com
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