New claims in priest sex abuse scandal

February 11, 2006 (WLS) -- The sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church continues to make headlines as several survivors of abuse are turning up the heat--releasing new names of priests accused of abuse.

Because of the priest sex scandal Cardinal Francis George has a number of detractors. He will preside over mass Sunday morning at Holy Name Cathedral and supporters plan to be there to rally in support of him. Meanwhile, victims' rights groups plan on turning up the heat.

Dwain Singleton and David Nolan want the archdiocese to know they're survivors and no longer victims of priest sexual abuse.

"Instead of investigating and coming out, you know, requesting information from us to find out exactly what was going on, they try to crush it," said Dwain Singleton, Alleged Victim.

34 year old Singleton and 38 year old Nolan say the molestations were at the hand of Father Victor Stewart and happened here some 20 years ago when the building was the rectory of St. Charles Lwanda Catholic Church.

"He had a history of this. He went from the seminary in Mundelein and abused people there and came to St. Charles where he had full control over everything. He used archdiocese money to control us. That's how he abused us," said David Nolan, Alleged Victim.

Father Victor Stewart who died in the early 90's was never listed as an accused abusive priest by the church. That's the reason why Singleton and Nolan along with their attorney Phillip Aaron formed a support group African American Advocates for Victims of Clergy Abuse.

"Clients have lawsuits against the Methodist church. So we're talking about clergy sexual abuse no matter where it is," said Phillip Aaron.

Victims' rights groups continue to turn up the heat on the church for its handling of the scandal.

SNAP released the names of three more priests accused of sexually abusing a former Chicago resident in the 60's and 70's from the time she was 16 to 21 along with a statement for their alleged victim who reached a $125,000 dollar settlement with the Chicago Archdiocese in 2004.

"The real problem lies at the feet of Cardinal George. He is the one who should be taking responsibility for this and not trying to scapegoat in other places," said Barbara Blaine S.N.A.P.

Snap has wanted sanctions against Cardinal George but it is still unclear as to if that is actually going to happen.

Meanwhile that rally planned in support of the Cardinal is not sponsored or sanctioned the by the Archdiocese of Chicago those are simply Catholics in support of the cardinal.

A spokesperson for the archdiocese does say sometime next week they are expected to announce what changes they need to make to their policies so they can react faster and sooner to allegations of priest sex abuse.

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