Victims group calls for independent investigation into Valley priest abuse
On Tuesday, the Youngstown Catholic Diocese released a list of 31 priests who have been removed from their ministries over credible allegations of sexual abuse.
On Tuesday, the Youngstown Catholic Diocese released a list of 31 priests who have been removed from their ministries over credible allegations of sexual abuse.
Bishop George Murry announced that of the more than 1,000 men who have been priests and other religious leaders in the five-county diocese since it was founded in 1943, 31 men have been found to have had credible inappropriate incidents.
Bishop Murry said former FBI agents investigated 73 complaints about alleged abuse in the Diocese.
Later, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests called on the Diocese to urge an "independent investigation" by the Attorney General's Office.
In a statement from SNAP, the survivors say that "only independent law enforcement professionals can truly determine when an allegation is "Credible" or not, especially given that we have seen church officials deem accusations not credible only to be proven horribly wrong later."
In addition, the advocacy group asks that the diocese publicize the list of names permanently on the diocesan website and run it quarterly in parish bulletins.
Those bulletins and listings should also include, according to SNAP, the date of when the diocese first learned about the allegations.
The statement reads in part, "It is important for accountability to find out who knew what, when they knew it, and what they chose to do with that information. By taking these steps, Murry can show that he is dedicated to the full truth. To do otherwise is a half-measure."
The full statement from SNAP can be read here:
An Ohio catholic diocese has published the names of clergy that have been accused of sexual abuse.
The Diocese of Youngstown publicly named 31 priests that have been removed from their duties due to “credible” allegations of sexual abuse. In a news release, Bishop George Murray clarified that a “credible” allegation is one “that, after a thorough investigation and review of available information, appears more likely true than not in the judgment of the Diocesan Review Board, and is accepted as credible by the bishop.” While we’re glad that church officials have taken this first step, we believe that they must take two other steps immediately to show that they are being fully open and honest about the extent of abuse in their diocese.
First, Bishop Murray and other officials in Ohio should urge an independent investigation from their attorney general to dig into diocesan records and do a full review of all personnel files and abuse records. Only independent law enforcement professionals can truly determine when an allegation is “Credible” or not, especially given that we have seen church officials deem accusations not credible only to be proven horribly wrong later.
Second, Bishop Murray should publicize this list permanently on the diocesan website and run at least quarterly in every parish bulletin. It should include every single proven, admitted and credibly accused church employee: bishops, priests, seminarians, brothers, nuns and lay people, no matter who supervised or ordained them or where they were originally from. In this list, Bishop Murray should also put by each name the date when he or his staff first learned of the allegation against that priest. It is important for accountability to find out who knew what, when they knew it, and what they chose to do with that information. By taking these steps, Murray can show that he is dedicated to the full truth. To do otherwise is a half-measure.
