Navajo man sues Catholic church in tribal court

Friday, November 9, 2007  

A Navajo Nation man has sued a Catholic priest and a Catholic diocese in tribal court.

The man says he was abused by the Rev. Charles "Chuck" Cichanowicz as a boy. Cichanowicz was assigned to a church in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the reservation in the 1980s.

The lawsuit says the Diocese of Gallup failed to supervise Cichanowicz and failed to prevent sexual abuse.

The man, who is now 38 and lives in Oregon, is seeking damages, costs, interest, statutory and civil penalties and other relief. He says he suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of the abuse.

Get the Story:
Navajo man accuses priest of sexual abuse (The Lafeyette Journal & Courier/AP 11/9)

Relevant Links:
Diocese of Gallup - http://www.dioceseofgallup.org