Another Victim of Suspended Parish Priest Comes Forward

A second victim filed a lawsuit on Aug. 5, 2010 in Waterbury Superior Court against the now-suspended parish priest, Stephen Bzdrya.

A second victim filed suit a lawsuit on Aug. 5, 2010 against Stephen Bzdrya, a Catholic priest who is now suspended from his priestly duties.

A Watertown man, formerly a student at St. Hedwig’s School, and a parishioner at the associated church in Naugatuck, Connecticut, recalled being taken into the school basement, ostensibly to be disciplined for bad behavior by Father Bzdrya. It was there that Bzdrya pulled down the second-grader’s pants, spanked him, and then turned him over, sweating and moaning, to fondle the boy’s genitals. The plaintiff, choosing to remain anonymous for the time being, was only 7 years old. He was then threatened by Bzdrya not to tell anyone and was sent back to class. As a little boy, the plaintiff remembers feeling hurt, confused and above all, terrified.

The victim, upon turning 18, did share his story of abuse with his parents and other close friends, but was afraid to come forward publicly until he saw another victim of Bzdrya, William Dotson, on the news in early July. Hearing the story, he was re-traumatized and shaken by his own childhood memories and decided to contact Stratton Faxon, the law firm handling the case. Being married now with his own children, the plaintiff hopes to help other victims by coming forward. He also wants Bzdrya to be held accountable for his actions.

Bzdrya, surrounded by groups of young boys in his Facebook photos, was fired in July 2010 by his former parish, Saint Augustine’s in Seymour, Connecticut. An investigation by the diocese, although belated by many years, is pending. It is a certainty that although adults, at least two men who were victimized by Bzdrya will be forever haunted by events in their pasts. As for this second plaintiff, a mere 7-year-old at the time of the horrific acts, he will have his worst childhood memory being alone, naked and vulnerable in a dark basement, while being abused by the man whom he trusted the most – seared into his psyche as long as he lives.

Alexandra Reed writes for Connecticut personal injury law firm, Stratton Faxon. Contact Stratton Faxon to speak with a Connecticut accident lawyer about your personal injury, wrongful death, or Connecticut malpractice case. To learn more, visit Strattonfaxon.com.

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