The 27-page “sexual history” written by Van Handel, recollects him as being accused of molesting at least 17 boys, including his own 5-year-old nephew, local children in his boys’ choir and students at the seminary boarding school where he taught.
The essay, penned for a therapy assignment and kept secret for years, provides a shockingly candid and detailed window into the troubled mind of a notorious pedophile priest., says Associated Press.News reports through the AP also stated:
Van Handel’s narrative came to light as part of a $28-million settlement between the Franciscans and 25 clergy abuse victims six years ago that also called for disclosure of the religious order’s internal files. The accused priests fought unsuccessfully to keep their documents private in a battle that went all the way to the California Supreme Court.The Associated Press obtained more than 4,000 pages, including Van Handel’s “sexual history,” from a plaintiff’s attorney last week.
Van Handel’s account, written between 1993 and 1994 during his treatment at Pacific Treatment Associates in Santa Cruz, is corroborated by letters, victim interviews, and court papers from his file.
In the essay, Van Handel – who was himself molested by a priest at age 15...
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