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
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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!