Church in Crisis
The Rev. John Elder

Louisville Courier-Journal
September 29, 2002

http://www.courierjournal.com/cjextra/2002projects/priestabuse/stories/elder_stbarnabas.html

[See the main page of this special section on the Church in Crisis.]

Elder, who died in 1993, is accused in three lawsuits of abusing girls. Elder served at Holy Name, St. John, Our Lady, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Barnabas and St. Pius X parishes and at Sacred Heart Home.

ST. JOHN

PLAINTIFF: Loretta Robinson
AGE: 53
ADDRESS: Louisville
OCCUPATION: Restaurant server
FILED SUIT: May 8
DEFENDANT: Archdiocese of Louisville
DATE AND LOCATION OF ALLEGED ABUSE: 1959, St. John Church rectory, school
ACCUSATION: Fondling, exposure to abuse of friend
DETAILS: Robinson was about 10 when, she said, Elder fondled her at least a couple of times. She said she also saw Elder abuse a friend, Diana (Sewell) Spencer, and that Elder was grinning at her during the abuse.
WAS ANYONE TOLD? She said she told a younger sister. Later, as an adult, she said she told other sisters and a friend.
IN THE PLAINTIFF'S WORDS: "(Elder) was always drinking, always. He would like to touch you at the bingos. He was always grinning that nasty grin.... It's not about taking their money, like they think. It's about bringing closure and hoping that somebody will believe you."