Catholic Church sexual abuse cases by country
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This page documents notable Roman Catholic sex abuse cases by country.
European countries
Austria
- Archdiocese of Vienna
In 1995 Cardinal Hans Hermann Groër stepped down as head of the Roman Catholic Church in Austria following accusations of sexual misconduct. In 1998 he left the country. He remained a Cardinal. [1]
Belgium
There have been several abuse cases in Belgium.
- Diocese of Antwerp
Former parish priest Bruno Vos of Nieuwmoer parish in Kalmthout was officially charged with rape of a minor by the Belgian judiciary. There are also allegations of possession of child pornography included in the charge. [2]
Czech Republic
- Archdiocese of Olomouc
In 2000 Fr. Frantisek Merta and Olomouc Archbishop Jan Graubner were charged after allegations were made by a theology student, Václav Novák, that Merta had sexually abused altar boys since 1995.
France
There have also been several abuse cases in France.
- Seine et marne
- Henri Lebras sentenced to ten years for the rape of a twelve year old boy between 1995 and 1998.[3]
Germany
In February 2010 Der Spiegel reported that more than 94 clerics and laymen have been suspected of sexual abuse since 1995; but only 30 of those suspects had actually been prosecuted because of legal time constraints on pursuing cases.[4]
Ireland
- Archdiocese of Dublin
Several priests who abused children in the United States were Irish Nationals, notably Patrick Colleary, Anthony O'Connell and Oliver O'Grady.
- Diocese of Ferns
The Ferns Inquiry 2005 - On 22 October 2005 a government-commissioned report compiled by a former Irish Supreme Court judge delivered an indictment of the handling of clerical sex abuse in the Irish diocese of Ferns.
Italy
It is difficult to ascertain the correct statistics for clerical sexual abuse in Italy because the Italian Government has a treaty with the Vatican that guarantees areas of immunity to Vatican officials, including bishops and priests.[5]
The Netherlands
Cases of sexual abuse by religious members of the Roman Catholic Church in The Netherlands can since 1995 be notified to a central church institution, called Secretariaat Rooms-Katholiek Kerkgenootschap (SRRK). [6][7]
Poland
- Archdiocese of Poznan
In March 2002 Archbishop Juliusz Paetz quit following accusations, which he denied, of sexually molesting young priests.[8]
- Diocese of Plock
In early 2007 allegations surfaced that former Bishop Stanislaw Wielgus (later very briefly Archbishop of Warsaw) was aware that several priests in his former diocese of Plock were sexually abusing minors. [9]
United Kingdom
There have been several abuse affairs in United Kingdom as well.
- Buckfast Abbey School
- In 2007 two former monks from Buckfast Abbey were sentenced for sexually abusing boys.[10][11]
- Ealing Abbey / St Benedict's School
- In 2009 a monk of Ealing Abbey, and former headmaster of the junior department of its associated school, St Benedict's, was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing boys.[12]
Latin American countries
Argentina
- Julio Grassi was found guilty (by a three-judge panel of the Criminal Court Oral 1 Morón) of one count of sexual abuse and one count of corrupting a minor in the “Happy Children’s Foundation”[13].
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz
Allegations of sexual abuse on 47 young seminarists surfaced in 1994.[14]
Brazil
- Diocese of Anápolis
- In 2005 Brazilian priests, Fr. Tarcísio Tadeu Spricigo and Fr. Geraldo da Consolação Machado were convicted of child molestation while Fr. Felix Barbosa Carreiro was arrested and charged with child sexual abuse in the northeastern state of Maranhão after police seized him in a hotel room with four teenage boys. [15][16]
Mexico
Fr. Marcial Maciel (1920 - 2008) founded the Legion of Christ, a Catholic order of priests originating in Mexico. Nine former seminarians of his order accused Maciel of molestation.[17] One retracted his accusation, saying that it was a plot intended to discredit the Legion. Maciel maintained his innocence of the accusations.
Peru
In 2007, Daniel Bernardo Beltrán Murguía Ward, a 42 year-old Italian-Peruvian Consecrated Layman of the group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, was found by the Peruvian National Police in a hostel in Cercado de Lima with an 11 year-old boy, whom he was taking sexually explicit pictures of.
North American countries
Canada
- Archdiocese of St. John's
In the 1990s, criminal proceedings began against members of the Christian Brothers in Newfoundland.
United States
- Archdiocese of Anchorage
The Society of Jesus made a $50 million payout to over 100 Inuits who alleged that they had been sexually abused. The settlement did not require them to admit molesting Inuit children, but accusations involved 13 or 14 priests who allegedly molested these children for 30 years.[18] The Diocese of Fairbanks, a co-defendant in the case, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, claiming inability to pay the 140 plaintiffs filing claims against the diocese for alleged sexual abuse by priests or church workers during this period.[19][20][21]
- Archdiocese of Boston
Allegations of sexual misconduct by priests of the Archdiocese of Boston, and following revelations of a cover-up by the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, became known in 2004, causing Roman Catholics in other dioceses of the United States to investigate similar situations. Cardinal Law's actions prompted public scrutiny of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the steps taken in response to past and current allegations of sexual misconduct by priests. The events in the Archdiocese of Boston became a national scandal.
- Archdiocese of Chicago
Daniel McCormack, a self-confessed sexually abusive priest was sentenced to five years in prison for abusing five boys (8–12 years) in 2001.[22]
- Diocese of Davenport
On October 10, 2006, the Diocese of Davenport filed for Chapter 11 protection [23].
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
In 2006 the Archdiocese settled a number of claims of sexual, and the Archbishop offered a personal apology. [24]
- Diocese of Fall River
Father James Porter was a Roman Catholic priest who was convicted of molesting 28 children;[25] He admitted sexually abusing at least 100 of both sexes over a period of 30 years, starting in the 1960s.[26] Bishop Sean O'Malley settled 101 abuse claims and initiated a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse. He also instituted one of the first comprehensive sexual abuse policies in the Roman Catholic Church. [27]
- Diocese of Honolulu
Reverend Joseph Bukoski, III, SS.CC., Honolulu, Hawaii, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary was canonically removed in 2003 as the pastor of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo for allegations relating to sexual improprieties some 30 years earlier. Fr. Bukoski issued a written public apology to his victim on November 12, 2005.
Reverend Mr. James "Ron" Gonsalves, Wailuku, Hawaii, Gonsalves the administrator of Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church in Waihee, Maui, pleaded guilty on May 17, 2006 to several counts of sexual assault on a 12-year-old male. Bishop Clarence Richard Silva has permanently withdrawn his faculties and has initiated laicization proceedings against Deacon Gonsalves with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay out 60 million dollars to settle 45 lawsuits it still faces over 450 other pending cases. According to the Associated Press a total of 22 priests were involved in the settlement with cases going as far back as the 1930s. [28] 20 million dollars of this was paid by the insurers of the archdiocese. The main administrative office of the archdiocese is due to be sold to cover the cost of these and future law suits. The archdiocese will settle about 500 cases for about $600 million.[29]
- Archdiocese of Miami
Since 1966, the Archdiocese of Miami Insurance Programs have paid $26.1 million in settlement, legal and counselling costs associated with sexual misconduct allegations made by minors involving priests, laity and religious brothers and sisters. [30]
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
A 2003 report on the sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee revealed that allegations of sexually assaulting minors had been made against 58 ordained men. By early 2009, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee had spent approximately $26.5 million in attorney fees and settlements. Under Archbishop Timothy Dolan the archdiocese was able to avoid bankruptcy from lawsuits.[31]
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Archbishop Elden Curtiss reassigned a priest despite pedophilia allegations that had first emerged in 1959. He later admitted to failing to examine the priest's personnel file.[32] In 1993, Curtiss confessed to removing letters documenting abuse from the file, acknowledging his "shortsightedness and misjudgment."[32]
- Diocese of Orange
On January 3, 2005 Bishop Tod Brown of the Diocese of Orange apologized to 87 alleged victims of sexual abuse and announced a settlement of $100 million following two years of mediation.
- Diocese of Peoria
Coadjutor Bishop John J. Myers of Peoria was among the two-thirds of sitting bishops and acting diocese administrators that the Dallas Morning News found had allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to continue working.[33]
In 2005, Rev. Francis Engels plead guilty to molesting a Peoria altar boy on trips to Milwaukee in the early 1980s.[34]
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
According to a 2005 investigation, while serving as assistant vicar for administration in 1996, Bishop Cistone was involved with silencing a nun who tried to alert parishioners at St. Gabriel parish about abuse by a priest. According to the report, there were several other instances of priest sexual abuse which Cistone was complicit in covering up.[35]
- Diocese of Phoenix
On November 21, 2005, Monsignor Dale Fushek of the Diocese of Phoenix was arrested and charged with 10 criminal misdemeanor counts related to alleged inappropriate sexual contact with teens and young adults.[36]
- Archdiocese of Portland
The Archdiocese of Portland filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on July 6, 2004, hours before two abuse trials were set to begin. Portland became the first Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy. An open letter to the archdiocese's parishioners explained the archbishop's motivation.
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
John Salazar - sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a 18-year-old parishioner. [37]
- Diocese of San Diego
On February 27, 2007, the Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 protection, hours before the first of about 150 lawsuits was due to be heard.
- Diocese of Spokane
Under Bishop William S. Skylstad the Diocese of Spokane declared bankruptcy to protect it from claims of people abused by priests in December 2004. The Diocese of Spokane as part of its bankruptcy has agreed to pay at least $48 million as compensation. This payout has to be agreed to by the victims and a Judge before it will be made. According to Federal Bankruptcy Judge Gregg W. Zive, money for the settlement would come from insurance companies, the sale of church property, contributions from Catholic groups and from the diocese's parishes.[38]
- Diocese of Stockton
Fr. Oliver O'Grady molested multiple children in Stockton. [39] The 2006 documentary Deliver Us From Evil is based on accusations that Bishop Roger Mahony knew that Oliver O'Grady was an active pedophile.[40]
- Diocese of Tucson
The Diocese of Tucson filed bankruptcy in September, 2004. The Diocese of Tucson reached an agreement with plaintiffs, which the bankruptcy judge approved on June 11, 2005, specifying terms that included allowing the diocese reorganization to continue in return for a $22.2 million settlement.
Oceania countries
Australia
- Archdiocese of Sydney
- Ross Murrin - Catholic brother plead guilty to sexually abusing eight male students. [41]
- Archdiocese of Melbourne
There were several cases of sexual abuse in the Melbourne archdiocese.
- Michael Charles Glennon - sentenced to at least 15 years in jail for sexually abusing four Aboriginal boys between 1984 and 1991[42]
- Wilfred James Baker - sentenced to four years in prison (parole after 2 years) for 16 counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency, involving eight boys, aged 10 to 13, over a 20-year period between 1960 and 1979.[43]
- David Daniel - sentenced to six years jail, with parole after 4.5 years, for molesting four boys, a girl and an adult male. [44]
- Rex Elmer - abuser sentenced in 1998 to five years jail (with parole after 3 years 4 months) for molesting 12 boys at St Vincent's orphanage in South Melbourne. [45]
- Terence Goodall, convicted of indecent assault in 2006 for a crime committed in 1982.
New Zealand
The abuse scandal in Christchurch is an important chapter in the clerical abuse affairs in New Zealand.
Philippines
- In 2002 the Catholic Church apologized for sexual abuse by hundreds of priests over the previous 20 years. [46]
- In 2003 at least 34 priests were suspended in a sex abuse scandal. 20 were from a single diocese.[47]
See also
- Crimen sollicitationis
- Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood
- Roman Catholic sex abuse cases
- Lavender Mafia
References
- ^ BBC News | EUROPE | 'Exile' for disgraced Austrian cardinal
- ^ Belga, 22 July 2008
- ^ [1]
- ^ Sonia Phalnikar. Abuse allegations mount at German Catholic Church. Deutsche Welle. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5224213,00.html accessed 11 Feb 2010
- ^ NPR: Critics Press Italy, Church on Clergy Abuse
- ^ SRKK: geen doofpot seksueel misbruik [ Actualiteit | Katholiek Nederland ]
- ^ Mondiale RK-pedofilie
- ^ FACTBOX: Roman Catholic Church sex scandals in Europe, U.S. | Reuters
- ^ Polish archbishop, officials ignored child sex abuse, says newspaper - Catholic Online
- ^ Monk jailed for schoolboys abuse (BBC News)
- ^ Jail for child sex abuse teacher (BBC News)
- ^ Priest charged with paedophilia Ealing Gazette 9 December 2008
- ^ Father Grassi: the sentence will be announced today "Momento 24", June 10 2009
- ^ [2]
- ^ Brazil - Brazzil Mag - Close to 2000 Brazilian Priests Caught in Sexual Misconduct
- ^ Sex abuse in Brazil: abuser priest provides checklist for selecting victims | National Catholic Reporter | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ ReGAIN Website
- ^ Jesuit Order Settles Suit on Sex Abuse in Alaska, New York Times, November 19, 2007
- ^ "Fairbanks Catholic Diocese filing for bankruptcy". KTUU.com. WorldNow. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
More than 150 claims were filed against the church for alleged crimes at the hands of clergy or church workers between the 1950s and 1980s.
- ^ Baldino, Megan (2008-02-15). "Diocese of Fairbanks to file for bankruptcy". CNA. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
The negotiations allegedly failed because one of the diocese�s insurance carriers did not �participate meaningfully.� ... Robert Hannon, chancellor and special assistant to Bishop Donald Kettler, said bankruptcy would provide a way for church assets to be distributed fairly among abuse victims.
{{cite web}}: replacement character in|quote=at position 61 (help) - ^ "Fairbanks diocese will file for bankruptcy". The Anchorage Daily News. The McClatchy Company. 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
- ^ The Associated Press (2007-07-02). "Priest gets 5 years for sex abuse". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times News Group. Archived from the original on 2007-07-04.
An independent auditor issued a litany of recommendations to overhaul the way the nation's third-largest archdiocese handles sex abuse complaints and Cardinal Francis George apologized for his actions—or lack thereof—about the rumors surrounding the Rev. Daniel McCormack. ... McCormack pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for abusing five boys between the ages of 8 and 12 while he served as parish priest at St. Agatha Catholic Church.
- ^ Iowa Diocese Files For Bankruptcy , Davenport Bishop Says Settlements For 24+ Sex Abuse Claims Left It No Choice - CBS News
- ^ Settlements and Verdicts
- ^ Victims testify of Porter assaults - The Boston Globe
- ^ Pedophile priest James Porter dies at 70 - U.S. news — MSNBC.com
- ^ Fall River bishop to head Fla. diocese
- ^ LA diocese settles abuse claims 1 December 2006
- ^ LA church to pay $600M for clergy abuse July 14, 2007
- ^ The Archdiocese of Miami
- ^ Bohn, Lauren E. (2009-02-26). "New York City Archbishop Timothy Dolan". TIME Magazine.
- ^ a b "Special Reports: Catholic Bishops and Sex Abuse". BishopAccountability.org.
- ^ Egerton, Brooke. "Special Reports: Catholic Bishops and Sex Abuse". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 2004-02-18. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Nunnally, Derrick (2005-06-03). "Priest Sentenced to 10 Years". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ^ http://www.philadelphiadistrictattorney.com/images/Grand_Jury_Report.pdf
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2005/jul/07/070708940.html
- ^ BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US Church offers abuse settlement
- ^ Berg, Amy J. (2006). Deliver Us From Evil. Lions Gate Entertainment.
- ^ Hamlin, Jesse (2006-10-25). "A former priest molested kids in California parishes. Now he talks in a chilling documentary". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Catholic brother to plead guilty to abuse - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- ^ Applause as 'evil' priest gets more jail - National - www.theage.com.au
- ^ Press Release - Sex predator: the priest who got away SINS OF THE FATHER
- ^ Star News Group - Hear the truth - By Kath Gannaway
- ^ 104 Australian Catholic clergy sentenced in Broken Rites cases
- ^ BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Philippines Church apologises for sex abuse
- ^ Catholic World News : Sex-abuse scandal in Philippines involves priests with women