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Catholic Church sex abuse cases in the United States

There have been many lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, and scandals over sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy in the United States of America.

The issue of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests was first publicized in 1985 when a Louisiana priest pleaded guilty to 11 counts of molestation of boys.[1] It was again brought to national attention in 2002 following a series of publications by The Boston Globe.


As it became clear that there was truth to many of the allegations and that there was a pattern of cover-ups in a number of large dioceses across the United States, the issue became a nationwide scandal, creating a crisis for the Catholic Church in the United States. Though the sex abuse cases are not unique in comparison to other countries, the sex abuse crisis in the United States is more conspicuous due to the behavior and reaction (or lack thereof) from the clergy and the Vatican.[2] Allegations in the United States also encouraged victims in other nations to come forward, rapidly creating a global crisis for the Church. Over many decades, priests and lay members of religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church had sexually abused children, principally boys, on such a large scale, that the accusations reached into the thousands.[3]


"The majority of accused priests in the United States (55.7%) had one formal allegation of abuse made against them, 26.4% had two or three allegations, 17.8% had four to nine allegations, and 3.5% had ten or more allegations."[4] A major aggravating factor was the actions of Catholic bishops to keep these crimes secret and to reassign the accused to other parishes in positions where they had continued unsupervised contact with youth.


Many of the accused priests were forced to resign or were laicized. In addition, several bishops who had participated in the cover-up were also forced to resign or retire. The dioceses in which the crimes were committed found it necessary to make financial settlements with the victims estimated to have surpassed $3 billion in total by 2012. The revelations nationwide led to a "zero tolerance" policy by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In December 2019, however, it was revealed that numerous Bishops across the United States withheld hundreds of names from their accused clergy list.[5][6][7]

Settlements[edit]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas paid $30.9 million in 1998 to twelve victims of one priest ($57.8 million in present-day terms).[8][9]


In early 2002, The Boston Globe covered the criminal prosecutions of five Roman Catholic priests in an article that won an uncontested Pulitzer Prize. The issue of child rape and sexual assault of Roman Catholic children became a national scandal.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The coverage of these cases encouraged others to come forward with allegations of abuse, resulting in more lawsuits and criminal cases.[18] In July 2003 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville paid $25.7 million to "settle child sexual-abuse allegations made in 240 lawsuits naming 34 priests and other church workers."[8] In 2003, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston settled a large case for $85 million with 552 alleged victims.[19]


In 2004, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange settled nearly 90 cases for $100 million.[20]


In April 2007 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon agreed to a $75 million settlement with 177 claimants and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle agreed to a $48 million settlement with more than 160 victims.[21] In July 2007 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a $660 million agreement with more than 500 victims, in December 2006, the archdiocese had a settlement of 45 lawsuits for $60 million.[22][23] In September 2007, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego reached a $198.1 million "agreement with 144 childhood sexual abuse victims".[24]


In July 2008 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver agreed "to pay $5.5 million to settle 18 claims of childhood sexual abuse."[25]


The Associated Press estimated the total from settlements of sex abuse cases from 1950–2007 to be more than $2 billion.[23] BishopAccountability reports that figure reached more than $3 billion in 2012.[26][27]


Addressing "a flood of abuse claims" five dioceses (Tucson, Arizona; Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon.; Davenport, Iowa, and San Diego) filed for bankruptcy protection.[23] Eight Catholic dioceses have declared bankruptcy due to sex abuse cases from 2004 to 2011.[28]


In 2018, bankruptcy court approved an offer from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to pay victims of clergy sexual abuse a total of $210 million in settlement, which was the second largest settlement for any United States Catholic Diocese and the largest by any United States Catholic Diocese in bankruptcy.[29][30][31][32]


On February 9, 2020, it was reported that five Catholic dioceses across the state of New Jersey had paid over $11 million compensate 105 claims of sex abuse committed by Catholic clergy.[33] Of these 105 claims, 98 were compensated through settlements.[33] The payments also do not involve 459 other sex abuse cases in these dioceses which are still not resolved.[33]


On May 5, 2020, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it now expected to pay $126 million in reparations.[34] The archdiocese also said its Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program, which was established in 2018, has received a total of 615 claims, and had settled 208 of them for $43.8 million as of April 22, 2020.[34] That averages out to about $211,000 per claim, which is in line with what other dioceses have been paying under similar programs.[34] The same day, the total amount of money which the Archdiocese of Philadelphia expects to pay in sex abuse settlements was soon revised to $130 million.[35]


The U.S. dioceses have tallied complaints from 17,000 people for what they paid out about $4 billion to victims since the 1980s. That figure could double given recent lookback laws that give them more time to sue.[36]

the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania be eliminated: 7 

[47]

the for filing civil suits be expanded[47]: 8 

window

the laws requiring reporting of abuse be strengthened: 8 

[47]

a requirement be put into law mandating that any non-disclosure agreement include the statement that a non-disclosure agreement does not (and legally can not) prohibit victims from talking to law enforcement: 8–9 

[47]

Awareness of the problem[edit]

Some date the current sexual abuse scandal to an article published in the National Catholic Reporter in 1985.[64] After that, the scandal remained at the fringes of public attention but did not become a point of national attention until the mid-1990s when a number of books were published on the topic.[65] The topic became the focus of intense scrutiny and debate after The Boston Globe published a series of articles covering cases of sexual abuse.


In 2002, criminal charges were brought against five Roman Catholic priests in Boston, (John Geoghan, John Hanlon, Paul Shanley, Robert V. Gale and Jesuit priest James Talbot) which ultimately resulted in the conviction and sentencing of each to prison.[66] The ongoing coverage of these cases by The Boston Globe thrust the issue of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests into the national limelight.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][67] The coverage of these cases encouraged other victims to come forward with their allegations of abuse resulting in more lawsuits and criminal cases.[18]

Prosecution by civil authorities[edit]

In June 2012, Msgr. William J. Lynn, of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, became the first senior official convicted in the United States for covering up the sexual abuse of children by priests he oversaw. Lynn was convicted of child endangerment for, as the official in charge of handling abuse complaints, reassigning known abusers to new parishes instead of keeping them away from children.[68] He was sentenced to three to six years in prison.[69]


The largest numbers of sex abuse cases have been in the United States; some have led to multimillion-dollar settlements with many claimants. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas paid $30.9 million in 1998 to twelve victims of one priest.[8] In July 2003 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville paid $25.7 million to "settle child sexual-abuse allegations made in 240 lawsuits naming 34 priests and other church workers."[8] In 2003 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston also settled a large case for $85 million with 552 alleged victims.[19]


In 2004, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange settled nearly 90 cases for $100 million.[20] In April 2007 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon agreed to a $75 million settlement with 177 claimants and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle agreed to a $48 million settlement with more than 160 victims.[21] In July 2007 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a $660 million agreement with more than 500 alleged victims, in December 2006, the archdiocese had a settlement of 45 lawsuits for $60 million.[22][23] In September 2007 the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego reached a $198.1 million "agreement with 144 childhood sexual abuse victims".[24]


In July 2008 the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver agreed "to pay $5.5 million to settle 18 claims of childhood sexual abuse."[25] The Associated Press estimated the total from settlements of sex abuse cases from 1950–2007 to be more than $2 billion.[23] According to the USCCB that figure reached more than $2.6 billion in 2008.[27] Addressing "a flood of abuse claims" five dioceses (Tucson, Arizona; Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Davenport, Iowa, and San Diego) got bankruptcy protection.[23] Eight Catholic dioceses have declared bankruptcy due to sex abuse cases from 2004 to 2011.[70]


On December 3, 2020, New York City priest Fr. George Rutler, the prestigious pastor of the Church of St. Michael in Manhattan who gained notoriety for criticizing high-profile Irish politician Leo Varadkar's homosexually, was arrested on charges of groping female security guard Ashley Gonzalez.[71][72] Rutler, considered a conservative icon, had made numerous appearances on EWTN and had written 30 books.[72][71] The charges were dropped the following May.[73]

Response of the Vatican[edit]

Pope John Paul II[edit]

In 1993, Pope John Paul II addressed the sexual abuse issues via a letter. This letter was sent to American Bishops. This is said to be the first time the Vatican addressed the sexual abuse cases that were occurring.[100] Pope John Paul II stated, "Woe to the world because of scandals!"[100] The letter continues with a somber tone of sorrow for those who are victims.


In 2003, Pope John Paul II stated that "there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young".[101]

Pope Benedict XVI[edit]

Pope Benedict XVI apologized for the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and pledged that abusers would not be allowed to become priests in the Catholic Church.[102] A document obtained by The Associated Press shows Pope Benedict XVI laicized nearly 400 priests over just two years for sexually molesting children.[103]

Pope Francis[edit]

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (Italian: Pontificia Commissione per la Tutela dei Minori) was instituted by Pope Francis on 22 March 2014 for the safeguarding of minors.[104] It is headed by Boston's Cardinal Archbishop, Sean P. O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap.

Citing monetary concerns arising from impending trials on sex abuse claims, the (Oregon) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 6, 2004, hours before two abuse trials were set to begin, becoming the first Roman Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy. If granted, bankruptcy would mean pending and future lawsuits would be settled in federal bankruptcy court. The archdiocese had settled more than one hundred previous claims for a sum of over $53 million. The filing seeks to protect parish assets, school money and trust funds from abuse victims; the archdiocese's contention is that parish assets are not the archdiocese's assets. Plaintiffs in the cases against the archdiocese have argued that the Catholic Church is a single entity, and that the Vatican should be liable for any damages awarded in judgment of pending sexual abuse cases.

Archdiocese of Portland

In December 2004, the , Washington agreed to pay at least $48 million as compensation to those abused by priests as part of its bankruptcy filing. This payout has to be agreed upon by victims and another judge.[116]

Diocese of Spokane

The filed for bankruptcy in September 2004. The diocese reached an agreement with its victims, which the bankruptcy judge approved June 11, 2005, specifying terms that included allowing the diocese reorganization to continue in return for a $22.2 million settlement.[124]

Diocese of Tucson

On October 10, 2006, the filed for Chapter 11 protection.[125] The decision to file for bankruptcy was driven by many claims which focused on Bishop Lawrence Soens, who had been accused of fondling as many as 15 students during his tenure as priest and principal at Regina Catholic High School in Iowa City during the 1960s. Soens denies the allegations. A judge discharged one suit in October 2006.[126]

Diocese of Davenport

On February 27, 2007, the filed for Chapter 11 protection, hours before the first of about 150 lawsuits was due to be heard. San Diego became the largest diocese to postpone its legal problems in this way.[127] The bankruptcy was dismissed November 16, 2007, on a motion by the Diocese after a settlement of $198 million was reached with 144 claimants.

Diocese of San Diego

On March 7, 2008, the filed for bankruptcy after the failure of negotiations to settle 130 civil suits filed by Alaska natives who claimed to be abused by priests, and other church employees, beginning in the 1950s.[128]

Diocese of Fairbanks

On October 18, 2008, the filed for bankruptcy as the first of some eight lawsuits (of more than 100 potential) was scheduled to go to trial the next day.[129][130][131]

Diocese of Wilmington

On January 4, 2011, the announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy. The church was facing more than 23 lawsuits, and attempts to reach a mediated settlement with victims failed in December 2010. This came two days before the Bishop was scheduled to be deposed about these cases, and after the church had refused to release the names or personnel records of the accused priests. The opposing attorney said that the bankruptcy filing was an attempt to delay turning over church records on the cases. The Milwaukee archdiocese has already paid out over $29 million to settle 200 cases over the last 20 years. They said that these additional cases would cause hefty legal fees that the dioceses could not afford. The diocese has assets of about $98.4 million, but $90 million of that is restricted for specific uses.[132] Prior to the bankruptcy Cardinal Timothy Dolan then an Archbishop, with Vatican approval transferred $57 million from diocesan funds to prevent victims awarded compensation accessing the money.[51][133]

Archdiocese of Milwaukee

On January 17, 2015, the filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.[134][135][136][137]

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

On December 7, 2015, the filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The bankruptcy follows a $8.1 million verdict against the diocese.[138][139][140][141]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth

On February 19, 2020, the filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after disclosing to federal bankruptcy court it has more than 200 creditors and estimated liabilities between $50 million and $100 million, with assets of less than $10 million. The Harrisburg Diocese was the first Catholic diocese in Pennsylvania to seek bankruptcy protection.[142]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg

On May 1, 2020, the filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[143]

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans

On March 15, 2023 the filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [144]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY

Catholic Church sex abuse cases

Catholic Church sex abuse cases by country

From Scandal to Hope (OSV, 2002)

Groeschel, F. Benedict

Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis (Oxford University Press, 2001). ISBN 0-19-514597-6.

Jenkins, Philip

Lobdell, William (November 19, 2005). . Los Angeles Times. pp. A.1. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.

"Missionary's Dark Legacy; Two remote Alaska villages are still reeling from a Catholic volunteer's sojourn three decades ago, when he allegedly molested nearly every Eskimo boy in the parishes. The accusers, now men, are scarred emotionally and struggle to cope. They are seeking justice"

Ranan, David, Double Cross: The Code of the Catholic Church (Theo Press Ltd., 2007)  978-0-9554133-0-8.

ISBN

Reilly, Marie T., (Penn State Law Research Paper No. 10-2018) (Since 2004, eighteen Catholic organizations have filed for relief in bankruptcy. Fifteen debtors emerged from bankruptcy after settling with sexual abuse claimants and insurers.)

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

"Catholic Apology For Clergy Sexual Abuse In The US: A MODEL OF THE NECESSARY APOLOGY FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH"

Femenia, Nora

Bishop Accountability

General


United States


United States Conference of Catholic Bishops