CNY Diocese: Much of priest's lawsuit dismissed
Judge rejects five of seven claims brought against bishop, Episcopal diocese.
Monday, July 17, 2006
By Renée K. Gadoua Staff writer

Õ7BollingerÕ State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Tait has ruled that the secular court does not have authority to address a $4.35 million lawsuit in which a Central New York Episcopal priest said the bishop punished him for questioning the diocese's response to alleged sexual abuse by another priest in the 1970s.

Tait dismissed five of seven claims outlined in the lawsuit filed by the Rev. David G. Bollinger in January, when he was rector of St. Paul's Church in Owego. The suit was filed against Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams and the diocese.

Tait let stand two claims: intentional infliction of emotional distress, and loss of services and consortium. The diocese is likely to seek dismissal of those claims, said Paul J. Curtin, chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, which is based in Syracuse.
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