Man to refile lawsuit against diocese

YOUNGSTOWN -- A lawsuit against the Diocese of Youngstown will be refiled by a man who says he was abused by a Catholic priest while he was a pupil in a Canton school more than 25 years ago.
The plaintiff, who is named in the suit as John Doe, hasn't been able to assist in litigation because of personal problems that are related to the abuse, Atty. Michael P. Marando said. Marando filed a notice of voluntary dismissal this week with Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Judge Evans hasn't ruled yet.
The dismissal should give the plaintiff time to address his problems so he can help with court matters, Marando said. Under Ohio law, the suit can be refiled within one year of the time it was withdrawn, he added.
The plaintiff had asked for at least $25,000 in damages from the diocese and from the Society of the Precious Blood, Dayton.
He has said he was sexually molested by Father Joseph Laser during the 1978-79 school year while he was in ninth grade at the Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton. The diocese includes churches in Canton.