Crookston Diocese Settles With Alleged Victim

CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) -- A woman who says she was sexually abused by a priest for the Diocese of Crookston has settled a civil lawsuit for $750,000.

Megan Peterson appeared at a news conference in St. Paul to announce the settlement. Peterson says she wants other abuse victims to know they're not alone.

Peterson says she was 14 when she was raped several times by the Rev. Joseph Jeyapaul, a priest from India on assignment in Crookston at the time. Jeyapaul has said he is innocent and has refused to return from India to face two criminal charges.

The settlement requires the Crookston diocese to post a picture of Jeyapaul on its website along with details of the abuse. The diocese must also warn parishioners about Jeyapaul and notify Catholic authorities in India to express concern that he is still serving there.

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