Few institutions commanded more trust and respect from followers than the Catholic Church. But that is changing. It has been reported that over the last 40 years, the Catholic Church in the United States and its insurance companies have paid out more than $3.8 billion in lawsuits and claims involving allegations of clerical sexual abuse. A recent Pennsylvania investigative grand jury produced a report close detailing credible reports of abuse by the Catholic clergy affecting over 1000 children and adults. The grand jury determined at least 300 priests were to blame. The final report tells of an undisputed culture of sexual abuse and cover up at the upper levels of the church. The question now is whether the state prosecutors will institute criminal actions against the pedophiles and their protectors.
Apparently, this is not limited to the United States. There have also been findings of sexual and psychological abuse in Catholic-run industrial schools and orphanages in Ireland for most of the 20th Century, as well decades of sexual abuse totaling tens of thousands of children, in Australian institutions. The Catholic Church in Chile has been under fire as Chilean prosecutors cited cases of sexual abuse involving 266 victims, including 178 children, and date as far back as the 1960s.
The details of the Pennsylvania grand jury report show a pattern of protecting pedophiles who are priests. The Catholic Church substituted its sacrament of reconciliation for the legal system’s prosecution of criminal acts. But reconciliation can only be given to those who confess and are truly repentant. It has been reported that abusers were simply moved to new parishes, given a fresh start, which included access to children and others. The sentiment today is that no man is above the law. The Catholic Church’s standing in the United States in particular, is in a precarious place.
The limitations to bring criminal actions against pedophiles and rapists varies from state to state. There are also time limits to sue the Catholic Church. The laws providing time for victims of sexual abuse who were minors have changed over time. In Maryland the law for minor sex abuse victims has evolved from requiring a suit to be filed by age 21, then 28, and now 38. There may be other changes in the laws of various states permitting new suits to be filed for sexual abuse. It is also possible the Catholic Church will acknowledge this dark page in its history and do right by the people it did not protect.
If you or a loved one has questions about your right to compensation from sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic church, call the Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW. There is no fee or expense unless you recover. Speak to an experienced lawyer for a free initial consultation. Thousands have been affected. You are not alone.