San Jose Diocese Names 15 Clergy Accused of Child Sexual Abuse, But Critics Say the List Falls Short

https://www.kqed.org/news/11699763/san-jose-diocese-names-15-priests-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse-but-critics-say-the-list-falls-short

The San Jose Diocese released the names Thursday of 15 clergy who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children.

“I express my deepest apologies for the actions of those who were in positions of authority and who violated that sacred trust by abusing children,” the San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath said in a statement Thursday. “The sexual abuse of children and young people is an appalling crime and a sin.”

Ten of the clergy on the list are deceased. The remaining five have been permanently banned from the ministry, according to the diocese.

The release of names comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Roman Catholic Church's long-running sexual abuse scandals sparked by a recent Pennsylvania grand jury report.

The report was released in August and is considered to be one of the most comprehensive investigations of church sexual abuse in the U.S. The Pennsylvania grand jury found that allegations went back some 70 years and called out more than 300 priests, some of whom are now at the highest levels of leadership.

In response, dioceses across California have made an effort to reassure parishioners that the church is taking proactive measures. Earlier this month, the Diocese of San Bernardino, which is east of Los Angeles, released the names of 34 priests who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The bishop of the Diocese of Oakland, Michael C. Barber, wrote in a blog post he will follow suit within about 45 days.

McGrath had announced his plans to disclose the names in August. The release of those names followed four listening sessions McGrath held with parishioners throughout the diocese.

Published in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the list includes where each priest worked, the allegations made against them and when the claims were reported to the diocese. The dates on the reports range from 1976 to 2018. For several of the priests listed, there were multiple allegations over extended periods of time.

"We have attempted to make this list as accurate and complete as possible," McGrath said in the statement. An independent audit of priest personnel files will start next month, he added.