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Mr. Burns mentioned that dioceses are expected to provide the complete list by the end of January, noting that the list could be updated with more names if further information is revealed.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
What’s the problem?
The monumental task comes during trying times for the Catholic Church, as it struggles to regain its moral compass amid repeated allegations of both sexual abuse by men of the cloth, and, perhaps worse, the systematic coverup of these deeds.
I truly believe this is the first time an entire state has bound together in order to release names, Burns said.
The bishop said the church wants to "protect our children, create a safe environment, to promote healing for those who've been abused, and to demonstrate that we are focused on facing this issue."
Allegations of clergy abuse have plagued the church for decades, but the volume of the alleged victims’ pleas seems to many Catholics especially loud in the current climate of political correctness.
A Pennsylvania grand jury report in August found that at least 1,000 children were victims of sexual abuse by priests over the past 70 years and that church executives with knowledge of the crimes have either disregarded it or actively conspired to cover up the incidents.
Burns said he owed transparency "to the faithful of the Diocese of Dallas." And more importantly I owe it to those who've been abused and their families, he said.
Also Read: Pennsylvania Catholic Priest Abuse Lawsuit
Study Finds 1,000 Cases of Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Since Mid-20th Century
According to ABC News, a year-long study of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other members of the church in Switzerland published in September 2023 has identified over 1,000 cases since the 1950s [1].
The study, which was commissioned by the Swiss Conference of Bishops, found that nearly all of those accused of wrongdoing were male, and about 75% of cases of sexual abuse involved children under the age of 18.
The report took a deep dive into the allegations of sexual abuse that have plagued the Catholic Church in recent years — devastating the lives of victims and their families, and tarnishing the once-sterling reputation of the church.
The researchers identified at least 1,002 “situations of sexual abuse" in the Swiss Catholic Church, including accusations against 510 people. The abuse affected at least 921 people, the authors said.
The situations identified surely amount to only the tip of the iceberg, said the historians Monika Dommann and Marietta Meier.
Among other findings, 56% of the cases of sexual abuse involved men or boys. Nearly 40% of victims were women or girls while sourcing did not allow for the remaining 5% percent to be identified by sex.
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FAQs
How can I find out if a specific priest has been accused of sexual abuse?
Lists of accused priests are often published by dioceses, victims' advocacy groups, and in legal filings. Checking these sources can provide information on specific individuals.
What should I do if I discover that a priest I know is on the list of accused?
If you know a priest on the list, consider reaching out to support services, report any known abuse to authorities, and encourage others affected to seek help.
Can releasing names of accused priests lead to legal action?
Yes, releasing names can lead to legal actions, including criminal charges and civil lawsuits, as it may encourage more survivors to come forward and provide evidence.
Are all priests on the list found guilty of abuse?
Not all priests on the list have been found guilty; some are accused or under investigation. The lists often include those with credible allegations, pending investigations, or those who have admitted to the abuse.
See the other sexual abuse lawsuits our team has covered.
Do I have a Catholic Priest Abuse Lawsuit?
The Sexual Abuse Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Catholic sex abuse lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were victimized by a Catholic Priest or other member of the clergy, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
References:
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sweeping-study-finds-1000-cases-sexual-abuse-swiss-103112476