Settlement reached in child sex abuse case naming former KC bishop

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By Peter Rugg in Follow That Story, News

Thu., Oct. 15 2009 @ 1:30PM

According to Louisiana's the Advocate, a settlement of $225,000 has been reached in a child sex abuse case naming former Kansas City auxiliary bishop Joseph Sullivan. After Kansas City, Sullivan went on to become bishop of Baton Rouge, from 1974 until his death in 1982.

The settlement money goes to Glenn Hymel, 45, of Houston, who claimed he met Sullivan while in seminary school for minors, and the older man followed him from school to school sexually abusing him for several years.

Before the child abuse allegations, Sullivan's memory was seemingly held in high esteem. A Baton Rouge high school even carried Sullivan's namesake, until it was removed in 2004 following the out-of-court settlement of a separate child abuse suit.

Here in Kansas City, some victims of priest abusers want more than just a name change for one building. In October 2008, I wrote about children molested in the St. Elizabeth's rectory who wanted to the building torn down ("The Ghosts of St. Elizabeth"). The local diocese didn't agree.

Tags: Glenn Hymel, Joseph Sullivan, priest abuse

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4 comment(s) / Post a Comment

david clohessy says:

Let's just hope that anyone else who saw, suspected or suffered crimes or misdeeds by Deacon Ron Pelton will call police. When victims and witnesses stay silent, nothing changes. But when victims and witnesses find the courage to speak up, at least there's a chance for healing, justice, and prevention.

David Clohessy, National Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
7234 Arsenal Street, St. Louis MO 63143,
(314 566 9790 cell), SNAPclohessy@aol.com, SNAPnetwork.org

Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 15 2009 @ 3:10PM

Matt Carr says:

For you and me this may be over, but for Glenn it's just another step. I hope he can now put all this behind him.

Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 15 2009 @ 4:42PM

Kay Goodnow says:

Thank you, Pitch KC Blog, for printing this news. It's very, very difficult for a survivor to come forward, even under the best of circumstances. Glenn, I hope you read this and know that you have many supporters.

It's very much a relief to me to know that Sullivan's history of pedophilia is now in print. Hopefully, the KC Star will follow suit. (I'm not holding my breath!)

As for St. Elizabeth's parish and the damage done there, it's an outrage that the building still stands, and that three priests are still walking around in the metro KC area.

Obviously, the institutional diocese (and its titular head) of KC/St. Joseph values POWER (money) more than it values children entrusted to their care. So be it. Let the buyer beware.

Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 15 2009 @ 6:26PM

Liz McKenna McClernon says:

St. Elizabeth's Church must take action now and make a statement to the public by tearing the house of sin (the rectory) down!! So many of us who grew up in St. Elizabeth's feel betrayed and the continued non-restitution and inaction by the diocese and St. Elizabeth's is unacceptable!!

Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 17 2009 @ 1:10AM