SALINAS, Calif- Attorney Vince Finaldi said the sex abuse victim did move from Madonna Del Sasso to San Juan Bautista Mission for mass. However, he says that it wasn't because of Father Fitz-Henry but for the Latin Mass.
Finaldi said that his client met Father Fitz-Henry at Madonna Del Sasso back in 2005 and says he was abused by the father that same year. Finaldi says that at first his client forgave the priest because he had prayed for him and thought Father Fitz Henry had repented.
Father Fitz-Henry left Madonna Del Sasso in 2007 and returned to San Juan Bautista Mission. It is not clear exactly when the alleged victim went to San Juan Bautista Mission. However, Finaldi says his client came forward after Father Fitz-Henry allegedly started to make sexual comments to him.
The victim says that he reported the incident to Father Milich. Friday, Milich was removed from his duties as a priest in Monterey County because he allegedly did not come forward to tell the diocese about the allegations.
However, Finaldi claims there was a conference call about the incident in June of 2010.
"Father Milich set up a meeting with the bishop and he and my client called the bishop from the office and spoke to the bishop and my client reported the abuse to the bishop," said Finaldi.
Thomas Riordan, the Diocese of Monterey County Spokesperson, claims that is not entirely true. He says the conference call did happen but it was about another serious matter and the abuse allegations never came up.
Riordan also shared a statement he received Friday night from Fr. Milich explaining what happened. Fr. Milich writes
"The alleged victim told me in November/December 2010 that Fr. Fitz-Henry abused him. I did not tell Bishop Garcia or anyone at the Diocese of Monterey about the accusation. The alleged victim was an adult at the time and he told me he was already working with an attorney. Because of this, I did not believe I needed to report at that time. In retrospect, I realize I should have at least reported this to Bishop Garcia."
Riordan, says that Bishop Garcia didn't know anything about the allegations until January 2011.
Father Milich was working with the Diocese of Monterey while here taking care of his parents and he is relieved of his duties here but since he originally belonged to a diocese in Washington state, it will be that bishop's decision on if he will be reinstated.
There was question on whether or not Latin mass would continue after Father Milich was removed, Riordan from the diocese said the Latin mass will continue there.
Submitted by Lucero Benitez, Central Coast News
