List of Abilene-area priests accused of child sex crimes to be released Thursday

By Erica Garner
KTAB/KRBC TV
January 30, 2019

https://bit.ly/2Sfu8dR

A list of Abilene-area priests and other clergy members accused of sexually assaulting children will be released by the end of the day Thursday.

A list of Abilene-area priests and other clergy members accused of sexually assaulting children will be released by the end of the day Thursday. 

The San Angelo Diocese, which parents Catholic parishes across the Big Country, says they will be releasing their abuse report on January 31, as mandated by a decision made by all 15 Texas Dioceses in September. 

A press release states these lists are being released in an effort for local parishes to be transparent about the bishops, priests, deacons, and other religious leaders that served their organizations and were involved in "credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor" dating back to 1950. 

The following Big Country cities have parishes under the San Angelo Diocese:

• Abilene
• Ballinger
• Brownwood
• Clyde
• Coleman 
• Colorado City
• Sweetwater
• Winters

Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo has released the following statement regarding the abuse report: 

The release of these names is an expression of accountability in our ongoing attempt to create a safe environment for all. Child sexual abuse is a crime against God and humanity. When carried out by a representative of the Church, it is especially troubling, and it can cause deep emotional and spiritual wounds. 

I offer my apology to anyone who has been hurt by any person affiliated with the Catholic Church, as well as for any time that any minister of the Church has failed to live up to Christ’s call to authentic holiness of life. I pledge to continue doing everything I can to safeguard the people of this diocese. 

Ongoing training and vigilance are essential to this project. I expect anyone who serves in any ministry of the Church in the Diocese of San Angelo to know and follow diligently our policy of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry. Since 2002, we have conducted background checks on 14,223 individuals and have had 10,522 people attend an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry workshop. 
  
I am committed to create a healthy environment, to fully investigate all allegations that are brought forward, to take necessary corrective actions to remove perpetrators from ministry, and to help victims find healing.
  
This is an action in response to the faithful’s call for greater accountability and transparency,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston. "Every bishop in our state has made a statement expressing his concern for all who have been hurt and I want to express my personal sorrow at such fundamental violations of trust that have happened. We are completely committed to eradicating the evil of sexual abuse in the church and promoting healing among the faithful and those injured by this crime.

The Diocese of Ft. Worth released their abuse report in October, which implicated 2 priests with ties to Eastland County.