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Oakland Diocese Moves Towards Publishing Sex Offender List As New Allegations Surface

By Rachael Myrow
KQED Radio
February 1, 2019

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTracker/Oakland%20Diocese%20Moves%20Towards%20Publishing%20Sex%20Offender%20List%20as%20New%20Allegations%20Surface

After a lengthy delay, the Diocese of Oakland says it is getting closer to releasing a list of priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct.

Professing a commitment to protect children, Bishop Michael Barber wrote in a blog post for the Catholic Voice website, published on Oct. 8, 2018, that he planned to release the list within 45 days.

"Over the years, we have been continually revising and improving our accountability process, reinforcing our commitment to protect children, utilizing background checks and mandatory safe environment training for all church employees and volunteers," wrote Barber. "I have instructed my staff to prioritize this work while also recognizing the importance of making the list as accurate as possible."

It has been more than three months since Barber wrote the post.

San Jose Diocese Names 15 Clergy Accused of Child Sexual Abuse, But Critics Say the List Falls Short

Stephen Wilcox, the Oakland Diocese chancellor and victims assistance coordinator, said Barber's timeframe was too aggressive.

"It's a complicated process," Wilcox said. "There's a lot of files to go through. And we committed to a pretty big task."

Dan McNevin, a spokesman for the national support organization Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called Barber’s delay a "cover-up."

"I now believe he delayed it because this case was perking along," McNevin said. "He didn't want to expose it."

The case in question centers on new allegations that surfaced this week against an East Bay priest. The Oakland Diocese has placed Father Alex Castillo on administrative leave as it investigates allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. Castillo was ordained in 2011 and has served at parishes in Oakley and Fremont.

 

 

 

 

 




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