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In Ohio, a young adult is suing the Catholic diocese of Cleveland for failing to protect him from a predator priest that one mother called “evil incarnate.” The lawsuit was filed earlier this month, but its details are just now coming to light. Church Militant’s Kim Tisor has more.
A 19-year-old man is suing the diocese of Cleveland for not protecting him from a predator priest he alleges raped and molested him for two years, beginning when he was just 14.
His abuser, 41-year-old Robert McWilliams, began serving a life sentence in November, after pleading guilty to multiple charges of child traffic, child abuse and child exploitation.
Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, Geauga County, Ohio: “I’m just happy that the victims had the courage to come forward so that we could investigate this and end this reign of terror that he’s put on these kids, that’s going to affect them for the rest of their lives.”
McWilliams was officially laicized during his time behind bars. He was only in prison for three months before committing suicide in February.
The lawsuit claims the diocese knew about McWilliams’ behavior and that it had received information about the priest’s time in seminary, where McWilliams was considered “an immature, emotionally unstable individual” who “presented a threat of harm to children.”
The suit also names as defendants St. Joseph’s of Strongsville, where McWilliams served, and the bishop of Cleveland, Rev. Edward Malesic.
The diocese stated it “continues to offer prayers for all those impacted by the reprehensible crimes of Robert McWilliams” and that it’s committed to creating safe environments for children.
The victim says his abuse has resulted in anxiety and control issues. Sadly, he’s just one of countless souls who have fallen prey to predator priests and is in dire need of prayers and justice.
Authorities confiscated nearly 130,000 images of child porn from McWilliams when he was first arrested in 2019. The plaintiff’s attorney, Konrad Kircher, says McWilliams used church-owned computers and technology to carry out his crimes.