PRIEST SUES LAWYER FOR $600K Molestation cover-up alleged Kevin Martin, Calgary Sun
Reviving molestation allegations against a Calgary Catholic priest who was cleared on any wrong-doing has triggered a $600,000 lawsuit against a lawyer. Father Newton Rodrigues is seeking damages against attorney Aires Rodrigues for online articles which suggest a cover-up in the molestation case. The defamation was repeated in e-mails the lawyer sent to southern Albert Catholic parishes and to Bishop Fred Henry, the St. Bernardette's church priest's statement claim says. The document, a copy of which was obtained Thursday by the *Sun*, says Aires Rodrigues triggered a police investigation in Ribandar, India, in August 2004 into false allegations of molestation of a 13-year-old girl. "In September and October 2004, both the girl and the girl's mother filed numerous hand-written statements with the police indicating that the allegations were false," the claim says. "The police investigation into Father Newton was later concluded and all charges against hm were dropped." But after the Indian lawyer was charged last fall with trespassing at the plaintiff's then-Ribandar Parish church six years earlier, the allegations were revived. "In an effort to divert public attention on the eve of his trial, the defandant published... a series of defamatory articles and blog postings in Goa, India," the priest's lawsuit says. It "falsely claimed that Father Newton was a child molester who had evaded justice solely because of a cover-up and political interference." A statement of defence disputing the unproven allegations has not yet been filed. [email protected] SOURCE: Calgary Sun, 20 May 2011 Pg 24, News Link courtesy goanvoice.org.uk
