https://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/boca-raton/local-priest-named-in-sex-abuse-scandal
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Diocese of Palm Beach is reacting to that sweeping grand jury report accusing hundreds of priests of sexually abusing scores of children for decades in Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, WPTV spoke with one of his alleged victims.
"I feel validated, finally feel validated," said Judith Collins, who is now 66-years-old.
After decades of pain and agony, Collins said she finally feels like she's receiving justice. She still lives in Pennsylvania and claims she was sexually abused for years by MONSIGNOR THOMAS J. BENESTAD, who currently lives in Boca Raton. Collins claims the abuse started when she was nine-years-old and lasted for decades.
"Myself, my former husband and my daughter will never step foot in a Catholic Church ever again," Collins said.
BENESTAD is one of some 300 priests named in the grand jury report.
For years, Collins said she blamed herself, but in 2005 she said she reported the alleged abuse to law enforcement. She said she filed a police report, reached out to abuse advocates and spoke with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
BENESTAD and his attorney have denied any wrongdoing.
"I think Charles Manson probably said the same thing, I didn't expect him to say anything else," Collins said.
BENESTAD relocated to Boca Raton in 2007 after a medical leave and assisted at Ascension Catholic Church on Federal Highway in Boca for two years. On Thursday, the Diocese of Palm Beach said he passed background checks, and it wasn't until 2011 they received word of the allegations and he was ordered to refrain from all forms of Catholic ministry.
"The man belongs in prison, and I understand they are getting a lot of calls in Harrisburg of people just coming forward, it might happen," Collins said.
Judith, known to many as @StcharlesSeminary Names Her Rapist In Her Own Voice. Listen to Her as she likens him to Charles Manson
when he and his lawyer say He has done No Wrong. For those who have not read Her Story -
https://voat.co/v/pizzagate/2397920 St. Charles Seminary Tunnels I Am So Proud of Her
Pizzalawyer ago
Joy for those victims whose painful stories of abuse have been vindicated. Sorrow, too, as we come to the realization that we have fewer and fewer spiritual institutions to combat Islamic terrorism and the growing epidemic of Satanists.
Evil not only took over the Vatican and its priests and bishops, it celebrated with the serpentine/reptilian design of the Grand Audience Hall at the Vatican constructed in the 1970s. There are many videos available describing this evil monstrosity. The only thing lacking in that building is a placard proclaiming "Hail to Satan" . Should you have Catholic friends or family that persist in defending the Church, show them a video and ask them to justify this House of Horror.
carmencita ago
Oh it is only the older ones and I will not disturb their thoughts. They are late 80 & 90. There is no point to upset their last years. It is the younger ones that worry me for I am in their corner on staying away from church, but not away from God. They are doing both. Very sad. I hear talk from friends about their kids and they are upset. They will win if we cast God aside.
Truthseeker3000 ago
I just read through her other voat post. WOW. Blown away by the level of depravity and sickness these people have in their heads. Beyond sad but also infuriating and maddening. If only the world really truly knew about this we could all go into these places and these tunnels and bury them and destroy what these people have built out of their evil. Do I believe her testimony and account of what happened? Absolutely 110% I do. I’ve heard things from others along the same lines. These purps cannot be rehabilitated they are too far gone. I wish we could build centres for survivors for free counseling, help, guidance and give them a place to feel vindicated. Thank you @StcharlesSeminary for your bravery and for sharing your story. You are a light in this darkness and we need you. Please take care of yourself you are worth every inch of this fight. We honor you and every other victim of this atrocity. @carmecita thank you for always being an empathetic shoulder for others and for getting these stories out there. Your posts are always valued.
septimasexta ago
I couldn't have said it better. May God bless you and strengthen you and cause your light of Truth to shine on many, Judith.
carmencita ago
tears I am sharing this post with her and your comment. Thank You.
Gilderoy ago
Thanks for this, Carmencita. I hope Judith is doing alright. It must be devastating dredging this all up. I hope the path leads to Rome and Bergoglio.
carmencita ago
Knowing her now, as I do, I think it is more exhilarating than the other. Although yes, it does dredge up very bad memories but that can happen at any moment. This is Vindication and hopefully leads to Justice. She is doing fine and thanks everyone for their prayers. She says she will never will enter a Catholic Church again, but she has not abandoned God. People should understand that. I too have not donated or attended Church for many years but too continue to pray.
Gilderoy ago
I'm so glad to hear she's doing okay. I think of her often.
carmencita ago
Other than being ok, she is exhausted. She needs many prayers right now so that she can keep pushing for her final path to Justice. I told her that everyone is praying for her.
Gilderoy ago
Thank you, Carmencita. You are like the Rock of Gibralter for the Voat Pizzagate community. You're in my prayers, too.
carmencita ago
tears and thank yous. My Inspiration is Judith. She is An Angel.
Gilderoy ago
I see things are racheting up regarding the Grand Jury investigations in other states. New York will be HUGE, if it happens. I hear people calling for all the US Catholic bishops to resign. Wow. That's what happened in Chile. The whole bishops' conference resigned.
carmencita ago
Thank God Catholics are waking up!
Cc1914 ago
Oh my ! What a vindication! Happy tears over here! 😊 I just made my family listen to this and told them how you took a personal interest in this woman and offered her great support and now she is finally vindicated ❤️ And how these past 2 years have been worth all the pain and tears to be able to help ( wether it’s just listening or otherwise ) ones like her . Hugs to you and Judith !
carmencita ago
I am tearing up. Yes, I am so proud of her. There is more to come I hope. But he has been named on other sites and in the Report as well. I want him taken down. Thanks for Sharing with your Family. The more SRA is shared the more we win in tearing down their propaganda against it. He not only raped her as a child, but came back decades later and did it again, just to let her know who he is. Did that stop her? NO. It only Emboldened Her. She is My Inspiration. tears <3
carmencita ago
Let it be known, that supporters of the vatican and jorge bergoglio have already down voated this post. As expected.
new4now ago
I dont understand why more Catholics are not demanding charges be made to Police
when people put themselves above mans law, and religious leaders interprets Gods law to suit themselves, how is it that people can even look up to them
How many priests have been able to abuse more children after getting busted abusing before?
and the amount of these Priests are quite alarming
now the Vatican is trying to pull away from the responsibility of these priests
Judith and others like her are hero's in my book
to continually fight this injustice, so others do not suffer should be applauded
and yet the good ones let them get away with it
bad times are upon us, never realized just how bad the brainwashing has taken over everything
cried yesterday and crying again today
Think its time Gods people rise up for God's laws
had 3 yrs with the Bible has a class
never thought God's word could get so lost
YogSoggoth ago
"How many priests have been able to abuse more children after getting busted abusing before?Database of Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse and the amount of these Priests are quite alarming". Here is part of the problem. They don't question because of blind faith.
new4now ago
I have a list but maybe someone else could use it
what's bad is how many cases weren't reported
YogSoggoth ago
Contact them if you have names to add. Remember they can change names, and have multiple AKA's.
carmencita ago
I too have cried. Cried for sorrow and Cried for happiness for Judith. I wrote in one of my comments that the day The Report was released God had tears rolling down his face. Well, he also had Tears of Joy for Judith yesterday. He was happy for her too. As far as people not coming out to the police and pressing charges. First of all they have to overcome the shame and then they have to know that the police many times protect the priests. It comes from High Level Orders. This news has been passed from one Victim to another. There almost has to be a Class Action Lawsuit against the priest. That is very hard to achieve. The Church knows this. But i believe that things are turning and will keep turning. We have to keep posting and spreading this to our friends and relatives. I have sent The Report and articles to many. I only received one answer but I know the others will read it. Remember how painful it will be for others to read it. It's hard for us and we read it everyday.
Yes, Judith is A Hero. She is My Inspiration.
new4now ago
these priest need to pay for their crimes, not sent off to abuse more kids
carmencita ago
I agree. I think Charles Manson and Benestad are cult leaders. Benestad was abusing the children of cult families. He was the alleged leader of all of them, ino. See my DM.
new4now ago
back in those days are basically same as now
only the names have been changed and the game upped
carmencita ago
I agree the game has been upped. So many more Children Missing now than 30 - 50 yrs. ago.