CASPER, Wyo.—A Colorado woman has filed suit against a Catholic church in Casper and one of its deacons, alleging the deacon “imposed a sexual relationship” on her after a church official referred her to him for bereavement counseling.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court, the Casper Star-Tribune ( ) reported.
It names St. Anthony’s Church, deacon Donald Morris Stewart and four clergymen. It alleges the sexual relationship started after the woman went to Stewart for counseling in 2002. The suit also alleges Stewart physically assaulted her twice in 2008.
No one answered a call to Stewart’s residence Saturday. Messages left with the church were not immediately returned.
The Star-Tribune says Stewart and church officials didn’t return messages Friday.
