Alleged sex abuse victim goes public with complaints

by Sasha Aslanian, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — A man who's suing the Catholic Church over sexual abuse broke his silence Tuesday to publicly chastise the Catholic Church for attempting to recover legal costs from him, after his case was thrown out on a technicality.

Jim Keenan, 43, of Savage, alleges he was abused by Father Thomas Adamson in Burnsville when he was in the 8th grade. A judge threw out Keenan's case because the statute of limitations had passed, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis filed a motion to collect $64,000 in legal fees. He said that request prompted him to speak out.

"You can only stand around, get pushed around, bumped around before saying 'You know, this isn't OK.' I'm not a silent guy trying to do this. I came forward to put a face to it," he said.

Keenan is appealing the case, and said he's refused to settle unless the Church releases the names of other priests accused of abusing children.

"I spent 14 hours ... in mediation," Keenan said. I thought it would take about 2 hours. I thought I'd walk in and go, "Really, what I really want you guys to give me all the names and give me all the names that you know and to change your policy."

The archdiocese said not all abuse allegations are credible, and some victims may not want the information released. It also says playing to seek a delay in its motion to recover court costs after learning Keenan had filed for bankruptcy.