LETTER TO THE BISHOP

Margaret M. Zapala

Anaheim, CA.  92806

October  30, 2006

Cardinal  R. Mahoney

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

3424 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA   90010

Bishop T. Brown

Diocese of Orange

2811 E. Villareal Drive

Orange, CA 92867

Bishop McFarland

Diocese of Orange

2811 E. Villareal Drive

Orange, CA 92867

Monsignor J.  Urell

St. Norbert Church

300 E. Taft

Orange, CA.  92865

Judge Peter D. Lichtman

Central Civil West Courthouse

Dept 322

600 Commonwealth Ave   

Los Angeles, CA  90005

       Re;  Eric Zapala vs. Richard Coughlin

                                        Los Angeles Diocese

                                        Orange County Diocese

             OCSC Case No.  79597

This letter concerns the many molestation cases brought by victims against their perpetrators and the Dioceses of Los Angeles and Orange County that are currently in mediation.

Richard Coughlin was a priest transferred from the archdiocese of Boston to Orange County  because he had molested a young man there back in 1958.  He was sent to St. Anthony Claret Church in Anaheim, California, and was put in charge of the altar boys, and allowed to form a boys’ choir.  My son, Eric Zapala, was one of the  boys in his choir, the All American Boys Choir.  I was very happy Richard Coughlin took an interest in my son.  I have four sons.  My brother was a priest in Chicago, my uncle was a priest in Hungary, and now Eric would be the priest in this generation.  He would carry on the family tradition.  The family chalice of my brother would pass on to my son, Eric.

Richard Coughlin’s interest in my son was not spiritual.  Eric was one of the many boys in the choir molested by Richard Coughlin.  Eric went on to complete college at UCLA and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Economics.  He went on to the University of Michigan for his Masters.

In the early ‘90s, Eric’s life started to unravel.   The molestation was brought to light by other choir members.  Eric struggled with therapy for years trying to come to terms with his life.  He brought a lawsuit against Richard Coughlin and the Catholic Church , Orange County Case No. 79597.  His case was unsuccessful.  His attorney, Mark Roseman , is currently in prison on a grand theft charge.  He had been embezzling money won in settlements for his clients.

When the new round of lawsuits against the dioceses was allowed, Eric was unable to again go through the throes of depositions, testimony, etc.  He chose not to participate in these  lawsuits currently in process.  He was trying to get on with his life and career, and had moved to Colorado. Then, in August of this year,  Eric took his own life. It was many days before his body was found. As was stated in his obituary, “ He had a burden none should have to bear.”

Eric had waited for thirty-five years for validation and restitution from the Catholic Church.  It was not forthcoming. Hiding under Cannon Law, the Catholic Church protects and shields the priest/perpetrators. The Church’s files are secret or destroyed.  Nothing remains in the individual priest/perpetrators file concerning any molestation as he is moved from parish to parish.

                                     ELOI,  ELOI, LAMMA SABACTHANI?

The new North American Martyrs will not be the Catholics martyred for their faith of yore.  They will  be the young Catholics martyred by their faith,  molested by priests and denied consolation and  validation from the Church. When will this injustice end?  Will you work toward a solution, or add to the cover up?

His grieving family

Margaret M. Zapala and sons

Enclosure:  Death certificate

Cc:  Detective Corrine Loomis, Placentia PD,  with enclosure

Detective Corrine Loomis

Placentia Police Department

401 East Chapman

Placentia, CA  92870