DOVER -- An attorney for a Doe, who was a senior at St. man who was sexually abused Elizabeth High School at the by a priest when he was a time, said Cini confronted teenager accused the No. 2 him the next day and told him man in the Roman Catholic DeLuca was "in trouble" and Diocese of Wilmington of that Doe, by hanging out with covering up for the pedophile DeLuca, "was tempting him." priest, sparking an angry and Cini said he could not recall emotional exchange in any incident like that. "I Delaware Superior Court on wouldn't accuse a kid of Tuesday. tempting a priest. ... I had "Not correct. Not true and no knowledge, so how could I you know it," said a clearly say that," he said. agitated Monsignor Thomas Cini also testified that the Cini, the vicar general of diocese had paid DeLuca's the diocese, after attorney legal bills for a time, but Stephen J. Neuberger accused said that was done only at Cini of withholding testimony. the bishop's direction and He also accused Cini of because at that time the covering up for defrocked diocese and DeLuca were priest and admitted pedophile defendants in the case Francis DeLuca because of together. The diocese was fears of the effect it might removed as a plaintiff in the have on the collection plate. Vai case after it filed for Neuberger, who is bankruptcy last year. representing John Vai in a Cini also denied that he civil suit against DeLuca and admitted to a "cover-up" to St. Elizabeth Parish, pressed one victim of priest abuse in further, charging that Cini -- 2004, claiming he was acting who served with DeLuca as a in a pastoral capacity at the parish priest at St. time, trying to comfort the Elizabeth's in 1968-69 -- was man, and was not making legal "rewarded" with a series of admissions. "I'm sorry for it promotions to "chief of and I repeat it today," he staff" for the bishop for his said. "My job was to role in covering up DeLuca's apologize for what happened crimes. to them [victims of abuse] ... "I can't believe you are I was embarrassed by what a asking the question," Cini number of priests had done." shot back. "I didn't cover up The courtroom drama between for Frank DeLuca. I'm not Cini and Neuberger nearly part of a conspiracy to cover overshadowed earlier up anything. I'm shocked and testimony from another priest, surprised to be accused," the Rev. Thomas Peterman, who Cini added later on the stand. also served with DeLuca and "I had no indication it was Cini at St. Elizabeth's. happening. If I knew I would Peterman, 79, testified that have said something," Cini he saw DeLuca often hanging said earlier Tuesday. out with children from the John Vai filed suit under the parish and its schools and Delaware Child Victims Act of felt DeLuca was "too chummy" 2007, which suspended the with some. statute of limitations to Asked if he was surprised allow children who were that -- years later -- DeLuca victims of sex abuse years was accused of and admitted ago to file civil suits molesting young boys, seeking damages. Peterman first answered, "Yes Cini said he never saw DeLuca and no." bring Vai or any other young Because of a defense boy up to the bedroom next objection, the jury was door to his own on the second briefly removed and Peterman floor of St. Elizabeth's was asked, based on what he rectory when he and DeLuca knew of DeLuca "pre-1970," if were there. he was surprised by the Cini said if he had seen such allegations, Peterman a thing, he would have responded, "No." reported it immediately, Defense attorney Colleen adding, "I didn't perceive Shields then said she had no Frank to be a danger." objection, but added she Cini also flatly denied last believed Peterman was week's testimony by a man, "confused" by the question. identified in court only as Seconds later, after the jury "John Doe 18," who said Cini was brought back and warned him to stay away from Neuberger asked the same DeLuca. Doe testified he had question again, the priest been abused by DeLuca and one responded, "Yes." day in late 1968 when Doe was Confronted about the sudden driving DeLuca's sports car change, Peterman responded back to the church, a that he was "confused" by the different priest -- the question. parish's pastor -- came Testimony in the case before running toward the car Superior Court President yelling, "You told me you Judge James T. Vaughn Jr. wouldn't do this anymore. will resume Friday, when What are they [young boys] plaintiff John Vai is doing in the car?" expected to take the stand. (2 of 2)
Tags: abuse, clergy, cover, Delaware, denies, Diocese
