Church in Crisis
Theodore Meisner

Louisville Courier-Journal
September 29, 2002

http://www.courier-journal.com/cjextra/2002projects/priestabuse/stories/meisner_resurrection.html

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

A former priest and member of the Congregation of the Resurrection, a religious order, Meisner is accused in a single lawsuit of sexual abuse. He has denied the allegation. Ordained in 1957, he served at Resurrection Church in Louisville and at assignments in various other states and countries before leaving the priesthood in 1989. He now works part-time for the state of Georgia and lives in Macon, Ga.

PLAINTIFF: Sean J. McCulloch
AGE: 34
ADDRESS: Louisville
OCCUPATION: Unemployed
FILED SUIT: July 30
DEFENDANT: Archdiocese of Louisville
DATE AND LOCATION OF ALLEGED ABUSE: 1981, Resurrection Church rectory
ACCUSATION: Masturbation
DETAILS OF THE ALLEGATION: McCulloch said he was taken to Meisner by an aunt for counseling for emotional problems. McCulloch said while he was telling Meisner his problems, the priest locked the door, caressed his shoulder, told him everything was going to be OK, then masturbated the boy. Meisner has denied the allegation, saying he counseled McCulloch but never touched him.
WAS ANYONE TOLD? McCulloch said he told his aunt that he didn't want to see Meisner anymore, but didn't disclose details.
IN THE PLAINTIFF'S WORDS: "All I can say is, as a kid I was scared. Now I'm not scared anymore. I'm not afraid if anyone knows. Basically because I don't want it to happen to any other children."