Lawsuit faults diocesan therapist - Diocese of Albany

Times Union ^ | December 31, 2002 | ANDREW TILGHMAN

[NYer]

Albany -- A Capital Region man who said he was sexually abused by several priests filed a lawsuit against the Albany Diocese on Monday, accusing his church therapist of pressuring him to not hire a lawyer and making his psychological problems worse.

The lawsuit was filed by an unemployed man in his 30s who said he was repeatedly abused between the ages of 10 and 13 in the Albany Diocese, said attorney John Aretakis, who filed the suit. The victim is referred to in court papers as John Doe.

Between March and November, the man met with a nun and trained therapist, Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, nearly 100 times, but she made almost no notes or records of his treatment, according to the lawsuit.

Smollin asked the man to sign a waiver permitting her to discuss all aspects of his case with Bishop Howard Hubbard, according to the lawsuit. Smollin also urged him on several occasions not to hire a lawyer and said, "Bishop Howard Hubbard can no longer be your friend" after he did so, the lawsuit said.

"I returned to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany in 2002 for help in dealing with my pain and seeking their guidance, only to be mistreated by church personnel yet again. They used me for their own purposes once more," the man said in an unsigned statement provided by his attorney.

The diocese issued a brief statement on Monday, categorically denying the allegations, calling them "baseless and utterly without merit." The lawsuit raises questions about whether diocesan staff therapists can provide unbiased counseling to victims of sexual abuse who are in a position to file a lawsuit against the church or go public with embarrassing disclosures.

"If in fact that is true, that's a conflict of interest and that's malpractice," said Annette Crawford, a Glens Falls social worker who specializes in victims of sexual abuse. "The therapists need to advocate for the client. But here, we have to really define who is our client: Is it the person sitting in front of us or is it the diocese?"

The man who filed the lawsuit was previously diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome and contacted the church in March, responding to Hubbard's public promise to provide victims with counseling, the lawsuit said.

Church officials have repeatedly declined to say how many victims of sexual abuse have contacted them to ask for therapy. Victims can choose whether they want to meet with church counselors or a private, independent therapist whom the church pays for, said the Rev. Kenneth Doyle, chancellor for the diocese.

The man who filed the lawsuit said one priest molested him frequently during his prepubescent years and occasionally took him on trips when other priests would also sexually abuse him, Aretakis said.

Aretakis said he represents more than 24 victims who claim priests in the Albany Diocese sexually abused them. "We believe that there are five or six more priests on active ministry in the Albany Diocese who are a danger to children in the community," Aretakis said.

Earlier this month, Hubbard acknowledged some Albany Diocese priests accused of sexual abuse have remained on active ministry while church investigators conduct inquiries into whether new allegations are "credible" and warrant suspension from pastoral duties.

Aretakis filed the lawsuit in state Supreme Court in Albany and held a news conference Monday afternoon. The lawsuit names the diocese, Hubbard and Smollin.

The suit accuses Smollin of professional malpractice, but does not say how much money it seeks. It does not name any priests or seek damages for the abuse itself, which is extremely difficult due to statute of limitations barring lawsuits after a victim turns 23.

Smollin has a doctorate in psychology and serves as the executive director of the church-run office of Counseling for Laity, which she helped found in 1977, church officials said.

Smollin is not officially licensed by the state Education Department, which is not uncommon for mental health professionals, said Bill Hirschen, a spokesman for the Education Department that licenses doctors and other health care workers.

At a national meeting of bishops in Dallas in June, Hubbard was one of the few outspoken opponents of the "zero-tolerance" policy. He advocated for a case-by-case review that would leave the door open for known pedophile priests to remain active in the ministry.

After the policy was adopted, Hubbard removed six priests who had sexually abused children. The 14-county diocese also acknowledged it paid out $2.3 million during the last 20 years in secret settlement agreements with victims of sexual abuse.

[NYer]

Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, Ph.D.
Counseling for Laity

Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, Ph.D., chooses to focus her life on wholeness and people. As executive director of Counseling for Laity, Dr. Smollin strives to empower others to be whole persons. During her various lectures and workshops, Dr. Smollin speaks on communication, stress, relationships and humor. Concentrating on her belief that education opens doors for people, Dr. Smollin authored the book "Tickle Your Soul," which suggests methods to find a sense of connection on both an interpersonal and professional level. Furthermore, Dr. Smollin is a firm believer that humor and laughter touches everyone's souls and connects people of various backgrounds. Her personal motto, and one that she consistently shares with others, is that life is fuller, happier and healthier when our days are blessed with joy, smiles and laughter.

[NYer]

This is truly stunning ... though here in Albany, not surprising. Sr. Anne has written 3 books and is well respected.

Yet one more thorn in Hubbard's crown.

[Romulus]

chooses to focus her life

Says it all.

[american colleen]

Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin, Ph.D., chooses to focus her life on wholeness and people.

And not Jesus Christ, obviously. In my experience, a lot of the problems we have in the Church are due to *some* *most* of those feminazi nuns who are running around. I'm remembering "Goodbye, Good Men!" and how many nuns were in charge of the admissions in the worst of the seminaries. It also seems to me that a lot of the "new age" stuff is led by nuns.

I remember when the nuns were let loose in the 70s. I worked with a couple of them in a company in Boston (also a recently married priest, another story altogether, but he is now, 20 years later, on the board of "VOTF") - and they were like fish out of water. It was really sad because instead of changing the world by being a beacon for Christ, the world changed them, and He became not enough anymore. Half of them up here in the northeast live in their own apartments. I'm not sure what their calling is beyond being educated virgins who are older and probably pray (never the rosary!) in an unspecified spiritual way and then write a book about it or lead "spiritual retreats" for the "whole person" or worst of all, run CCD and DRE programs in the parishes.

I know there are some wonderful nuns around still, but I can't find them around here.

As an aside, people comment all the time on how when they were in (Catholic) school, the balance of their teachers were nuns and now maybe there might be one or two on staff. I look around and I see plenty of nuns in secular or parish positions, but not in the schools. I guess they choose not to teach, but there are still plenty of nuns around - most named Barbara or Carol for some reason :-).

[Chancellor Palpatine]

The diocese issued a brief statement on Monday, categorically denying the allegations, calling them "baseless and utterly without merit." The lawsuit raises questions about whether diocesan staff therapists can provide unbiased counseling to victims of sexual abuse who are in a position to file a lawsuit against the church or go public with embarrassing disclosures.

The "Church" of Justice and Integrity(TM) rides again.

Compared to these sick freaks, the Scientologists seem normal.

But don't worry - Father will be calling out the numbers at the next bingo following the fish fry.

Are conservative Catholics even paying attention to what their attitude to authority enables these psychos to do?

[Siobhan]

Her personal motto, and one that she consistently shares with others, is that life is fuller, happier and healthier when our days are blessed with joy, smiles and laughter.

Isn't that odd that a nun would say that, and I on the other hand would say that my life if fuller, happier, and healthier because of the blessings of daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, lectio divina, the Family Rosary, and other sacramentals. The greatest particular blessings in my life are found in my family where all of life -- joy, grief, laughter, tears, just being together -- all of it is sacred.

[Desdemona]

Wait a second...this sister (she's NOT a nun) gets paid for pointing out common sense?

And then turns around and victimizes a victim?

Heaven help, us. PLEASE!!!

[NYer]

Are conservative Catholics even paying attention to what their attitude to authority enables these psychos to do?

You are absolutely right! By volunteering to teach an 11th grade Confirmation class at my parish, I gained greater insight into what these students were being taught. Even more startling was the fact that the pastor and DRE were planning to introduce some illicit changes into the liturgy, using these kids. Over my dead body!. The pastor was caught off guard when I showed him and the DRE documentation justifying this fact.

Bottom line, conservative catholics need to become active in their parishes. Too often, cradle catholics "accept" whatever changes are introduced, without questioning it. When their discomfort level rises, they stop going to mass and blame it on ... the pastor, the bishop, the diocese ... Rome!

Know your rights! Learn the facts! Get involved! Most importantly, never walk away from your parish. Speak with the pastor ... bring supporting documentation. You have the right to a licit mass. If that doesn't work, write to the diocesan office.

[Salvation]

I thought this was going to be a thread about the diocese filing a suit against a private therapist. Well, maybe this person soon will be a private therapist.

[Salvation]

**I on the other hand would say that my life if fuller, happier, and healthier because of the blessings of daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, lectio divina, the Family Rosary, and other sacramentals. The greatest particular blessings in my life are found in my family where all of life -- joy, grief, laughter, tears, just being together -- all of it is sacred.**

Beautiful! God bless you! You get it! Wow! What else can I say?!!

[cebadams]

... most named Barbara or Carol for some reason


LOL, I never thought about it before but you are right!! We've had two sister Carol's at my parish in the last five years. What's up with that? :)

[ninenot]

In my experience, a lot of the problems we have in the Church are due to *some* *most* of those feminazi nuns who are running around. I'm remembering "Goodbye, Good Men!" and how many nuns were in charge of the admissions in the worst of the seminaries. It also seems to me that a lot of the "new age" stuff is led by nuns.

You don't think that the story of Adam and Eve was just a fable, do you?

EVE started it!!!

[sockmonkey]

I know there are some wonderful nuns around still,

Please say a Hail Mary for my daughter, Sr. Elizabeth Marie of Our Lady of the Atonement and the other young women who are answering the call to vocations.

[saradippity]

But don't worry---Father will be calling out the numbers at the next bingo following the fish fry

Shows you how little you know,the pederast priests are much more likely to be fraternizing with the ilk of you,plotting and planning the next step in the destruction of the Church.BTW,bingo was one the first things they attacked.

It is only the holy,caring priest,who would give up a free night to make a bunch of older people happy,socializing with each other for a very little amount of money. That was the first thing I noticed about the infiltrators,they denigrated poor,less educated parishioners with mean spirited little "inside" asides. This appealed to the poorly,even if lengthily, educated,"sophisticated",mature catholics,the backbone of Call to Action and VOTF. Oh yes, those evil ones were nasty and mean spirited from the get-go. And,they have not changed a bit.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Shows you how little you know,the pederast priests are much more likely to be fraternizing with the ilk of you,plotting and planning the next step in the destruction of the Church.BTW,bingo was one the first things they attacked.

ROTFLMAOPIMP!!!!!!

You have got to be a parody, lady, a cartoon. Jack Chick is wasting his time on his ugly and stupid comic screeds when Catholics like you are out there to follow.

Who needs parody when real life is even funnier?

[saradippity]

Okay,I admit I don't know that you actually fraternize with the noncatholic priests who are dismantling the church with their beliefs,words and actions,that are the polar opposite of everything the Church safeguards and teaches.

But everything I said about bingo and the cavalier attitude of the "imposter" priests is true.

[Desdemona]

Don't you have another galaxy somewhere in outer space to terrorize?

[victim soul]

May God help us through the intercessionary prayers and sacrifices of your daughter Sr. Elizabeth Marie and her order of Our Lady of the Atonement.

We have a lot to atone for.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

You lost any remaining credibility in my mind when you pushed an image of lower class, Democrat voting, heavy smoking, cheap beer drinking, bingo playing, trade union stalwart, class warrior Irish and Polish rust belters as the image of conservative Catholicism.

Lousy bunch of Roosevelt voters - I'd sooner see them starve than eat another nickel's worth of my social security contributions. Yep - that is the backbone of Kennedy liberalism.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Nope - of course, then again, I don't pay lip service to official oppression of Jews like you do.

I'm not sure that praying a rosary will ever cure you of that little bug.