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Catholic Diocese releases list of Mississippi clergy accused of sex abuse

Bishop Kopacz 'deeply sorry' for clergy sex abuse
The Associated Press
Scott Simmons
Weekend Anchor/Reporter
Catholic Diocese releases list of Mississippi clergy accused of sex abuse

Bishop Kopacz 'deeply sorry' for clergy sex abuse

" THE DIOCESE OF JACKSON SAYS THE CASES DATE BACK TO 1939, THE MO RECENT BEING 1998. BUT THERE ARE CRITICS OF WHAT IS BEI RELEASED NOW ..AND WHY MORE WASN'T DONE SOONER." THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF JACKSON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 37 CLERGY MEMBERS WHO WERE INVESTIGATED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIMS AND THE DIOCESE FOUND CREDIBLE EVIDENCE. "VICTIMS INCLUDING BOYS AND GIRLS RANGED IN AGE FROM 5 TO 17 WHEN THE ABUSE OCCURRED." THE INFORMATION NOW BEING MADE PUBLIC O THE DIOCESE WEBSITE. THE CASES DATE FRO 1939 TO 1998. "I HOPE THAT RELEASING THI LIST WILL DEMONSTRATE THE NEW LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY AS OUR GOD OF COMPASSION AND JUSTICE DEMANDS." THE CHURCH SAYS IT'S TRYING TO PUT ALL THE FACTS OUT IN PUBLIC VIEW. "I APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO THE FAITHFUL WHO HAVE BEEN HURT BY THIS SCANDAL." BUT MARK BELENCHIA IS ANGRY WITH TH DIOCESE . MARK BELENCHIA/VICTI IT WAS RAPE..HE RAPED ME! BELENCHIA SAYS THE PRIEST WHO ABUSED HIM IS NOW DEAD. BUT HE IS LISTED IN CASES THAT RANGE FROM 1964 TO 1984. BELENCHIA SAYS THE CASES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED LONG AGO...AND THE ABUSIVE PRIESTS STOPPE "THE PROBLEM NOW IS DOWN HERE AT THE CHANCERY A THE BISHOP AND THE LAWYERS ARE HIDING CRIMINAL FACTS AND TH NEED TO BE EXPOSED." WHEN I ASKED WHY THE CASES WEREN'T REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SOONER "WE PRESENTED OUR LIST TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFIC IN 2002 OF EXISTING CASES." BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS QUOTE, "WE DON'T HAVE ANY RECORDS OF IT". "THE DIOCESE SAYS IT DID TAKE PLACE AND HAVE FORWARDED THE UPDATED LIST THE HINDS DA SAYS HE WILL INVESTIGATE AND CASES. THE U ATTORNEY CONFIRMS HIS OFFICE ALSO HAS THE INFORMATION. IN JACKSON SCOTT SIMMONS 16 WAPT NEWS."
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Catholic Diocese releases list of Mississippi clergy accused of sex abuse

Bishop Kopacz 'deeply sorry' for clergy sex abuse
The Associated Press
Scott Simmons
Weekend Anchor/Reporter
The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has released names of 37 clergy members it said have been credibly accused of sexual abuse.The list was published Tuesday on the Diocese website. Church officials said 30 of the clergy members were accused of abuse in Mississippi and the others worked in Mississippi but faced allegations in other states.Diocese chancellor Mary Woodward said the victims were boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 17. She said the cases date from 1939 to 1998."We know that this list will cause pain to many individuals and communities and I am truly, deeply sorry for that pain," Bishop Joseph Kopacz said in a letter released Monday. "The crime of abuse of any kind is a sin, but the abuse of children and vulnerable adults is especially egregious. First and foremost, it is a sin against the innocent victims, but also a sin against the Church and our communities. It is a sin that cries out for justice." Kopacz said he encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a clergy member or church employee to come forward."We know it can take years for a victim to come forward," Kopacz said. "We want to hear from those who have been abused by a member of the clergy or an employee of the church. Not only is it our legal duty to report these cases, helping victims find healing and wholeness is our moral imperative."Kopacz also said the church is taking steps to prevent abuse, including screening and educating employees and volunteers."I apologize from the depths of my heart to those who have been sexually abused by clergy and church personnel, to the families damaged by these crimes and to the Catholic community for the scandal this scourge has brought upon our Church," Kopacz said. "There is no room for this evil in our society or our churches."None of the men on the list are still in active ministry, the diocese said.Woodward said there are two additional cases involving clergy members whose names were not released Tuesday. One is on appeal. The other is under investigation and involves abuse alleged to have taken place in 1961 that was just recently reported.
JACKSON, Miss. —

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has released names of 37 clergy members it said have been credibly accused of sexual abuse.

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The list was published Tuesday on the Diocese website. Church officials said 30 of the clergy members were accused of abuse in Mississippi and the others worked in Mississippi but faced allegations in other states.

Diocese chancellor Mary Woodward said the victims were boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 17. She said the cases date from 1939 to 1998.

"We know that this list will cause pain to many individuals and communities and I am truly, deeply sorry for that pain," Bishop Joseph Kopacz said in a letter released Monday. "The crime of abuse of any kind is a sin, but the abuse of children and vulnerable adults is especially egregious. First and foremost, it is a sin against the innocent victims, but also a sin against the Church and our communities. It is a sin that cries out for justice."

Kopacz said he encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a clergy member or church employee to come forward.

"We know it can take years for a victim to come forward," Kopacz said. "We want to hear from those who have been abused by a member of the clergy or an employee of the church. Not only is it our legal duty to report these cases, helping victims find healing and wholeness is our moral imperative."

Kopacz also said the church is taking steps to prevent abuse, including screening and educating employees and volunteers.

"I apologize from the depths of my heart to those who have been sexually abused by clergy and church personnel, to the families damaged by these crimes and to the Catholic community for the scandal this scourge has brought upon our Church," Kopacz said. "There is no room for this evil in our society or our churches."

None of the men on the list are still in active ministry, the diocese said.

Woodward said there are two additional cases involving clergy members whose names were not released Tuesday. One is on appeal. The other is under investigation and involves abuse alleged to have taken place in 1961 that was just recently reported.