Lawsuit settlement
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a man who alleged he was sexually abused as a minor by former Father Gary P. Wolken in the 1990s.
Wolken previously served 12 years in prison for abusing another minor, a family friend, from 1997 to 2000. The archdiocese removed him from ministry in 2002, after the allegations were made. He later pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse of a minor and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Then-Archbishop Raymond L. Burke took action for the permanent removal of Wolken from the clergy, a process that was completed in 2007. In 2004, the archdiocese agreed to pay $1.675 million to the victim’s family. Wolken was released from prison in 2015.
The June settlement is the result of a 2018 lawsuit with similar allegations against Wolken. The plaintiff accused Wolken of sexually abusing him as a minor at Ascension Church in Chesterfield, where Wolken was assigned from 1993-97. The abuse allegedly occurred between 1993-95.
“The protection of children and vulnerable adults is our highest priority,” the archdiocese said in a statement. “We are hopeful that this settlement provides some measure of comfort for the victim and for his family. We continue to pray for all victims of sexual abuse, that they may find comfort and healing. Please keep all those who are exploited in your prayers, especially children and vulnerable adults.”
Anyone who wishes to make a report of the sexual abuse of a minor by any priest, deacon or employee of the Archdiocese of St. Louis is encouraged to contact the archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection. Reports should also be made to the Missouri Division of Social Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 392-3738.
Love & Life Mass
The annual Love & Life Mass marking the anniversary of “Humanae Vitae,” Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on family love and the sanctity of life, will be celebrated Sunday, July 16, at St. Peter Church, 221 1st Capitol Drive in St. Charles. Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. A picnic lunch will follow, and a free-will offering will be taken up for the Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Adoption Fund. To RSVP, see bit.ly/NFP-LL-2023. Natural Family Planning Awareness Week will also be celebrated July 23-29. Follow the archdiocesan Office of Natural Family Planning Facebook and Instagram pages (@stlnfp) for daily posts, information and interviews.
Fr. Scheid Players production
The Fr. William Scheid Players will present the musical “Hello, Dolly!” on July 21-23 at the Nerinx Hall Heagney Theatre, 530 E. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 21; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, and proceeds benefit CYC Sports.
This will be the 50th production of the Fr. Scheid Players, who present plays, reviews and musicals featuring St. Louis archdiocesan clergy and laity to raise funds for youth programs. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit frscheidstl.org.