Priest apologises after 30yrs

2005-11-09 07:55

Honolulu - A Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old seminarian on Oahu nearly 30 years ago apologised as a lawsuit filed by the now 44-year-old victim was about to go to trial.

After initially denying the allegation, the Reverend Joseph Bukoski III acknowledged harming Eugene Saulibio, who didn't continue on to become a priest.

"I am truly sorry for all you have gone through and suffered as a result of my actions. I should have apologised much sooner," Bukoski said in a letter.

Saulibio accepted the apologies.

"I am relieved that the truth is now out," he said. "He caused a lot of harm to me and my family and a lot of the Catholic faithful, and it's really important for me that everybody start healing," Saulibio said.

Saulibio filed the lawsuit in 2003, claiming Bukoski gave him drugs and alcohol and then sexually assaulted him. The abuse took place in July 1976, when Saulibio was living at a seminary in Kaneohe where Bukoski was studying to be a priest.

Under the settlement, Bukoski, a 52-year-old native of Kauai, is to pay Saulibio $50 a month for the next 10 years. As part of the settlement, Bukoski won't be allowed to work with young people again.

"Hopefully that'll prevent other kids from going through what I went through," Saulibio said.

Bukoski was suspended from his position as pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Maui, in May 2002 after allegations of sexual misconduct with two minors more than 20 years ago were made public.

- AP