‘We Still Don’t Matter’: Dallas Twins React to List’s Omission of Priest They Reported for Sexual Misconduct

For twin sisters raised in Dallas’ historic St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, the release of the names of priests “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of minors only twisted the knife in wounds that the two have lived with for more than 30 years.Myrna Dartson and Micaela Dartson Hicken were 19-year-old college sophomores in 1986 when, they say, Father Czeslaw “Chester” Domaszewicz began to behave inappropriately toward them. They describe a priest who sexually harassed them, grabbed at their breasts and buttocks, pulled on their bras and made vile, suggestive comments.Through the Florida diocese where he is now assigned, Domaszewicz has strongly denied the allegations. But those accusations and others prompted a pastoral council meeting about the priest’s behavior in 1989 or 1990. The diocese’s notes indicate the priest apologized, but don’t say for what.The Dartsons had hoped to see Domaszewicz's name on the Dallas diocese’s list of 31 “credibly accused” clergy members since 1950. The list, released last week, likely provided a bit of closure to some victims and Catholics, but the diocese’s transparency effort focused only on victims 18 and younger.By a mere one year, the Dartson twins missed their chance at justice. And as of now, the Dallas diocese doesn’t plan a formal release of names related to young adults’ cases.  Continue reading...