Claim being investigated

A Fort Ann man has sued the Albany Diocese and the Boston Archdiocese for $5 million, alleging that he was sexually abused more than 20 years ago by then-Rev. Dozia Wilson. The suit was filed in Massachusetts.

Joseph Woodward, who is represented by attorney John Aretakis, told area media last week that Wilson abused him in the early 1980s.

Wilson was removed from priestly ministry 14 years ago and is no longer a priest. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard took action against Wilson after complaints about his conduct.

The Albany Diocese said that Mr. Woodward's complaint about Wilson was first received in November 2003 and "is under investigation at this time by the Albany Diocese Review Board."

Mr. Woodward told the media that Bishop Hubbard knew of Wilson's abusive acts but nevertheless transferred him to parishes. The Diocese responded that "Bishop Hubbard never knowingly allowed any priest to abuse any child, and the allegations to the contrary in this lawsuit are completely false."

Last fall, the Diocese settled a lawsuit in Massachusetts in which Wilson was accused of sexually abusing a minor there in the 1970s. The minor was from the Albany Diocese.

"We investigate every allegation, evaluate the merits of every case and are committed to treating victims of clergy sexual abuse with compassion," Bishop Hubbard said when the suit was settled through mediation and paid for by the diocesan self-insurance fund. "We believe this settlement is fair to the victim and to the Diocese."

The victim in that case had not notified the Albany Diocese of the abuse until 1997 and then received counseling assistance paid for by the Diocese.

(5/6/04) [[In-content Ad]]