Civil Action Resolution

STATEMENT BY HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

CIVIL ACTION DISMISSED

Delivered by Pastoral Council President Dave Dahler at all Masses June 2-3, 2007

Thirteen months ago, Holy Spirit Catholic Community was saddened by the news that Father Dick Bennett had been named in a civil lawsuit.  Even though the allegations made against Father Dick had been previously reviewed by the Diocese of Joliet, and determined that they were not credible, the lawsuit moved forward.

Fr. Dick has remained steadfast despite the allegations and consistently rose above these distractions to speak the truth and serve our parish community faithfully.

It was critical that as a parish family, we put our faith in the Lord as well as in the facts, and that we did not react to anything that we read or heard that we could not deem as truthful.  As we have done as a community since our inception nine years ago, we continued to use our faith foundation to support us during this time.  We prayed with each other, we were there for each other, knowing that the Holy Spirit was watching over all of us .  We ask that you continue to pray for God’s healing and peace for all who have been affected by the tragedy of abuse.

As background, Mr. Tim Greco made allegations of misconduct against a priest with whom Fr. Dick served at St. Pius X in Lombard, Illinois in the 1970s. Later, Mr. Greco made allegations against Fr. Dick as well. Fr. Dick vehemently denied the allegations that Mr. Greco made against him, and Fr. Dick continues to deny the allegations today. The Review Committee of the Diocese of Joliet investigated Mr. Greco’s allegations against Fr. Dick and in May of 2005, made a finding that the allegations were not credible.

Thereafter, in April of 2006, Mr. Greco filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of DuPage County against the Diocese, the other priest and against Fr. Dick. In October 2006, the Circuit Court of DuPage County dismissed the lawsuit. Mr. Greco pursued an appeal of the dismissal order, and while the appeal was pending, the Diocese entered into a settlement with Mr. Greco relating to the allegations that he made against the other priest. Because of his continued vehement denial of Mr. Greco’s allegations against him, Fr. Dick refused to be part of any settlement with Mr. Greco. Therefore, the settlement between the Diocese and Mr. Greco specifically included a statement providing, “Defendant Richard Bennett has denied the claim asserted against him, and any and all allegations made by plaintiff against him. Bennett therefore has refused to enter into a settlement with plaintiff and, accordingly, Bennett is neither a party to this Agreement or intended to be released hereby from liability to plaintiff.” In other words, Fr. Dick did not settle because he is innocent. 

Thereafter, Mr. Greco failed to pursue his appeal against Fr. Dick and thus the appeal was dismissed.  Consequently, the appellate court entered a dismissal order terminating the matter.  As a result, the lawsuit filed by Mr. Greco against Fr. Dick has been finally resolved in Fr. Dick’s favor. 

On May 23, 2007, the Review Committee of the Diocese voted to remove all restrictions that had been put in place as a result of the allegations made against Fr. Dick.

It is over!  Our Bishop J. Peter Sartain affirms, “All of us are very happy for Fr. Bennett and full of admiration for him for the way he has continued his priestly ministry under very trying circumstances.”

Dear friends, our Pastor Fr. Dick Bennett…

 

STATEMENT BY FR. DICK BENNETT

CIVIL ACTION DISMISSED

Delivered at all Masses June 2-3, 2007

I want to thank my sister, Debra Lellbach and her family, my brother Michael Bennett and all my close friends who have stood by me through this past year!  I thank Bishop Sartain for his support and the Diocese of Joliet.  I thank Fr. John Phan, our entire parish staff and parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Community for your prayers and support! Over the past year, I have received many messages of support and prayers from many friends throughout the Diocese of Joliet and the country.

Days after the civil suit was announced, I received a lot of great advice from a number of excellent lawyers and others in the parish.  I would like to thank my lawyers Mr. William Quinlan, Mr. Martin O’hara and Mr. Richard Bollow from the law firm of Quinlan and Carroll in Chicago and Mr. Lawrence Stein of Huck Bouma of Wheaton, Illinois.

I continue to ask you for your prayers for Mr. Greco and all victims of abuse.

The past two and one half years have been a difficult journey, from November of 2004 when the allegations first surfaced against me until the recent resolution of the case.  From day one I have declared my innocence.  The Joliet Diocesan Review Committee reviewed the allegations against me and found them to be not credible!  I thank each and every one of you for your constant prayers, constant encouragement and your belief in me.

The Scripture from today’s second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 5:3-5 resonates with me this weekend for they are true:

“…we even boast of our afflictions,

knowing affliction produces endurance,

and endurance, proven character,

and proven character, hope,

and hope does not disappoint, because the love

of God has been poured out into our hearts

 through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

All I can say is again thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement and indeed, Praise the lord!

STATEMENT BY HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

CIVIL ACTION FILED

April 29, 2006

Holy Spirit Catholic Community is saddened by the news that Father Dick Bennett has been named in a civil lawsuit this past week. The allegation made against Father Dick was previously processed in accordance with the Diocese of Joliet’s current policies and it was determined through the review board that the allegation was neither credible nor substantiated.

No other allegations have been made against Father Dick. It is important as a parish family, that we put our faith in the Lord as well as in the facts, and that we do not react to everything that we read or hear that cannot be deemed as truthful.

The review board will be reconvened in the near future. Father Dick will presently remain as pastor. As we have done as a community over the last eight years, we need to continue to use our faith foundation to support us during this troubling time. Pray with each other, be there for each other and know that the Holy Spirit is watching over us all.

So we ask that you pray for God’s healing and peace for all affected by this situation. As we have witnessed countless times before, it is through God’s love for us that we are able to overcome that which He has laid before us.

 

Statement from Diocese of Joliet Regarding Civil Action Filed

April 27, 2006

In accordance with our policies and procedures, the Diocese of Joliet notified the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2004 after receiving an allegation of sexual abuse against Father Richard Bennett, pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Naperville, alleged to have occurred in 1974 –75.

Through his attorney, the accuser was invited to present his allegation to the Joliet Diocesan Review Committee, or to provide additional information. The attorney did not respond to the invitation and no further information from the accuser was provided.

In accordance with our policies, the Review Committee conducted a thorough investigation of the available facts and circumstances, and determined that the allegation against Father Bennett was not credible/substantiated. Since the time the Review Committee made its decision, there have been no new facts about the alleged abuse. Should any significant new facts come to light, the Committee will reconsider their previous decision.

The Review Committee will be convened shortly to consider the present situation. For the time being, Father Bennett will remain as pastor and his activities will be limited and restricted.

There have been no other allegations made against Father Bennett.

Father Phillip Dedera, who was also named in the lawsuit, was removed from ministry in 2002 because of a credible allegation made against him.

There are no priests in active ministry against whom there is a credible, substantiated allegation of sexual abuse.

The Diocese of Joliet takes the safety of children and young people in our care very seriously. We encourage anyone who has information about an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor involving a priest, employee or volunteer of the diocese to report the allegation to the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator and public authorities. We continue to pray for God’s healing and peace for all who have been affected by the tragedy of sexual abuse of a minor.