The Catholic Church in the United States has been ordered to pay $120 million in damages to 10 former altar boys, and the parents of another, who were sexually assaulted by a priest.Father Rudolph Kos abused boys over an eleven year period. When they complained, the church covered it up. Kos allegedly abused the boys on hundreds of occasions at three different churches in Dallas.
A jury in Dallas decided that the diocese was guilty of gross negligence, malice, conspiracy and fraud in failing to stop the the priest abusing the boys.
They claimed Kos was like a father who drew them into sexual relationships that began with foot massages before becoming more intimate.
His eleven victims included Jay Lemberger, a one-time altar boy who committed suicide at the age of 20.
"My son was murdered by the Dallas diocese because they let Rudy Kos into their regime and they let him get away with this abuse," said Pat Lemberger, the boys father.
The Catholic church argued that Kos had deceived everybody, including the boys' families, and that he was suspended in 1992, as soon as the first youth complained about sexual abuse. Bishop Charles Grahmann said the church would likely appeal the damages in the hope of finding a verdict that was "just and appropriate to the facts of the case."
Meanwhile the boys' attorney, Sylvia Demarest said: "I hope they wake up the Pope tonight with this. This verdict sends a clear message to the Catholic hierarchy of the world that this abuse must stop."
Its by far the largest cash penalty ever imposed against the Catholic Church in a sexual abuse case. For his part, Kos chose not to defend himself in the case. He is in San Diego where he is facing criminal charges of sexual abuse of a child.