Church in Crisis
The Rev. Edwin J. Scherzer

Louisville Courier-Journal
September 29, 2002

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

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

Scherzer, who is retired, has declined to comment on the two lawsuits in which he has been accused of abuse. According to the Archdiocese of Louisville, Scherzer was at St. Edward from 1956 to 1960 and at St. Therese from 1960 to 1969.



ST. EDWARD

PLAINTIFF: John C. Scott
AGE: 58
ADDRESS: Jefferson County
OCCUPATION: Retired
FILED SUIT: May 21
DEFENDANT: Archdiocese of Louisville
DATE AND LOCATION OF ALLEGED ABUSE: About 1956 to about 1962, St. Edward rectory and in Scherzer's car outside St. Anthony Hospital and in Scott's driveway
ACCUSATION: Fondling
DETAILS OF ALLEGATION: When he was about 12 and shortly after his family joined St. Edward, Scott said, his mother would take him and his two brothers to confession on Saturdays. After confession one Saturday, Scherzer asked to see the boys and took them into the rectory where he fondled their penises, Scott said. Other incidents occurred after confession and several times when Scherzer would drive Scott home or on errands, Scott said. The last time was when Scott was leaving work at St. Anthony Hospital when he saw Scherzer in the parking lot, Scott said.
WAS ANYONE TOLD? Scott said he told his mother, who died in 1981. After the first time, Scott said, his mother investigated and told him they weren't the only ones that Scherzer had abused.
IN THE PLAINTIFF'S WORDS: "I fell away from the church for about 10 years. . . . It was a long road back, but I finally went back. I love my faith."


ST. THERESE

PLAINTIFF: George A. Geraghty
AGE: 51
ADDRESS: Georgetown, Ind.
OCCUPATION: Social service aide
FILED SUIT: July 5
DEFENDANT: Archdiocese of Louisville
DATE AND LOCATION OF ALLEGED ABUSE: 1964 and 1965, St. Therese sacristy
ACCUSATION: Fondling
DETAILS OF ALLEGATION: Geraghty said when he was 13 and in the eighth grade, he was having trouble putting on his altar-boy cassock, he said. Scherzer offered to help, then fondled his genitals, Geraghty said.
WAS ANYONE TOLD? No
IN THE PLAINTIFF'S WORDS: "He was always one of those touchy, feely guys. That stuff they're offering (counseling paid for by the archdiocese), I wouldn't go near it because I don't trust them."