NCJ Number
113576
Journal
National Law Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 30 Dated: (April 4, 1988) Pages: 1,28-29
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the incidence of Catholic priests' child sexual abuse, the Catholic Church's institutional response to the problem, the civil liability involved, and issues in civil proceedings against Catholic archdioceses that employ priests who have sexually abused children.
Abstract
Although there are no accurate figures on the incidence of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests in America, attorneys who represent victims of such abuse and investigative reporters indicate that known cases represent only the 'tip of the iceberg.' Plaintiffs' attorneys throughout the Nation report a pattern in the Catholic Church's response to the problem: Bishops attempt to appease victims' families, keep it from the police, and transfer the priest to another parish where the abuse begins again. In civil proceedings, plaintiffs' attorneys and investigative reporters indicate the Catholic Church uses seal orders and settlement stipulations to protect dioceses' reputations and victims' identities. As the defendant in civil proceedings, the Catholic Church through counsel has claimed the expiration of the statute of limitations and denies responsibility for a priest's activities outside of parish duties. Various court decisions and pending legislation in many States tend to undermine these defenses.