BishopAccountability.org

Kansas City attorney says sexual abuse inside the catholic church is happening in our area

By Melanie Kendall
KMBC
August 20, 2018

https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-attorney-says-sexual-abuse-inside-the-catholic-church-is-happening-in-our-area/22780277

[with video]

More people are calling for a high-ranking Cardinal in the Catholic Church to resign.

A grand jury report accuses Cardinal Donald Wuerl of protecting priests who abused children while he was Bishop of Pittsburgh.

He’s accused of allowing accused priests to be reassigned or reinstated.

In a statement, Wuerl denies any wrongdoing and says he has no plans to step down.

In a public letter, Pope Francis says the church must acknowledge and condemn abuse adding, “We showed no care for little ones…we abandoned them.”

A Kansas City attorney calls that grand jury investigating shocking and saddening.

She also says it’s happening here in the Kansas City area too, possibly on a bigger scale.

Documents released Monday list hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse.

Because Kansas City is a smaller area than Pennsylvania, Attorney Rebecca Randles thinks abuse could be an even bigger problem here.

Randles’ clients are now demanding answers from the church.

They’re now calling for an investigation of the catholic church. Men who say they have been sexually abused by priests want people to be held accountable.

The Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph issued this statement:

"We cooperate fully with law enforcement and are eager to do so in order to prevent and eliminate dangers to children and vulnerable adults. When Bishop Johnston arrived in Kansas City, he very quickly made visits to metro law enforcement officials. Our independent Ombudsman immediately reports accusations of abuse to law enforcement even before she investigates them. If ever law enforcement requires information from us we fully cooperate in the interest of the safety of the people in our community. If Ms. Randles, or any other person, is aware of a situation of abuse, no matter how long ago, we want to know about it, because we want to make sure that perpetrator is out of ministry and that victim is given help in healing."




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