Kansas City, Missouri - A now 37-year-old man has filed a lawsuit in Jackson County against the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, alleging he was molested by two priests in the 1980s.
The two priests named in the lawsuit are Rev. Mark Honhart and the Rev. Hugh Monohan.
"It happened, (the man was) 9 years old for the first priest, and for Father Hugh Monohan, he was 11 years old. So, it happened for a period of two or three years," said David Biersmith, one of three men with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests who showed up outside the diocese to show support for the unnamed plaintiff.
Richard Durocher was another man who showed up in support.
"More people have suspected that someone they know has been hurt by a priest, or someone in the clergy, or an adult, or any adult. And it's always important to establish an awareness," Durocher said.
All of the acts are alleged to have happened at Holy Cross Parish in the 5100 block of St. John Avenue. In part of a response to the suit, and those before it, the diocese said in a statement: "In each situation, the diocese offered counseling, and told the persons making the complaints that they were free to make a report to law enforcement agencies. Since these accusations came to light, the diocese has never been able to contact Monohan to question him and his whereabouts remain unknown."
The fact the church can't get in touch with the priest bothers Biersmith, who said his son is a victim of priest abuse.
"And somehow, all of these guys have skated. There isn't a single one that has gone to prison that I'm aware of," said Biersmith.
