When December 14th finally came I was scared, but ready. Everyone I wanted to come was there. We all gathered in a room and the mediator came and talked to us about what was about to going on. Then Kim and I along with my lawyers went into a room where the other side already sat. Carol came in and talked first. She read a brief letter she had written that ripped into them on how their lack of action had been the cause of this and how the Archdiocese had not even told them (his family) what he was. Then my older brother Rick came in, he told them how it had changed me, how I was never the happy kid I was when he left for the Army. When he came home I was different, sad. He had suspected something like this, but had never figured out what had happened to me until I talked to him about it two years ago. Then dad, he talked about how I had been taken away from him by this and how we had missed all of my youth. Next was mom. She told her story and how Father had worked his way in to our family, that she never knew the full story until just recently and all the pain this had caused between me and her. She cried. Then it was my turn. I told them in graphic detail what had happened that night. How I was never the same after that. How, still yet today, it is so hard for me to trust anyone let alone a man,  and trusting a religious figure was impossible for decades. How even his name “Christian” challenged me in my belief in Christ. I told them how they have brought about a culture of hate toward the victim in the church, how I had been cursed at and threatened by some, just for suggesting that I knew a gay priest and that some had accused me of doing this just for vengeance sake. I told them exactly how I had been told this, using the same tone and words that these "Good Catholics" had used with me. Later, they told Ken that they thought I needed anger management classes! While I was angry when I told them about this, I  saw it as proof that they just didn't get it.

Kim sat at my right the whole time and never said a word. They asked her if she would like to add anything. With a tear running down her cheek her chin quivered, and in her quiet but powerful way she paused, looked dead at them and asked “What more is there to say?” No one said anything. We then went into separate rooms and the sad negotiating started. They had talked to me for about 45 minutes to maybe an hour. From this time they were able to determine my long term emotional state. They all but rejected Dr. Peterson's report on me, saying that I needed almost nothing in further health compensation. They also sited that I had a good job with health benefits. This really got to me! I still can't see how my current employer is responsible for the damage that they caused! None the less with my statute of limitations up they were able to pull this argument off. We asked for about $300,000.00 We ended a full day and evening of arguing with them at about one tenth that amount. Still my point was never to get money. I wanted them to face the responsibility they had, and I felt vindicated. They refused my non financial request that an apology be read to me at a mass at St. George. They also refused my request that a memorial be set up to the victims (they said it might frighten children). Also, they refused to post the names of the offending priests on their website. They did agree to keep going on with the teaching program for everyone who came in contact with a child. They also agreed to having 800 numbers to a child abuse hotline posted on all phones in the diocese, and said they would consider putting a survivor on their committee, but that was up to the bishop and not them. As for my apology they told me they were willing to write me an apology signed by the Archbishop but under no circumstances would it be a public apology, so click here to read my apology.

The most important thing they did was they looked at me and told me “We believed you”, in front of Kim and Ken.

The biggest blow was when I found out later that Archbishop Burke had buried Fr. Christian as a priest in good standing and that he (the Archbishop) performed the funeral for him.

My true reward will come when I die and God comes over to me and says: "Tim you see those kids playing over there, they will never thank you for what you did. Because what you did stopped the demons who would have gotten them. It never happened because of you. Well done!"