Diocese of Covington releases list of priests accused of sexual abuse of a minor dating back to 1950

WLWT
July 31, 2020

https://www.wlwt.com/article/diocese-of-covington-releases-list-of-priests-accused-of-sexual-abuse-of-a-minor-dating-back-to-1950/33484404#

The Diocese of Covington released an extensive list of priests, deacons, consecrated religious and laity who have had substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors on Friday.

The list of allegations dates back to 1950.

"I sincerely hope that this report will bring at least some sense of closure to those whose lives have been forever changed by the egregious behavior of those who were pledged to care for God’s little ones," Most Rev. Roger J. Foys said in a statement.

In his message, Foys acknowledged that releasing the report may cause additional pain and anger for the victims, and he apologized for that.

"I can never apologize enough to those who have been harmed by any representative of the Church. I beg your forgiveness in the name of the church," Foys said.

Foys and the Diocesan Review Board began the review in October 2019 as a way to assure the people of the Diocese of Covington that they were addressing accusations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and other religious employees. The Diocese of Covington said the review is part of an "ongoing commitment" to ensure that the allegations over the last 70 years have been "identified and reported."

Two former FBI agents began to review thousands of diocesan records dating back to 1950. The agents, who have a combined 50 years of investigative experience, were given free rein to review the records.

The Diocese of Covington said it is important to note that those names included on the list does not indicate that the priest or religious employee has been found guilty, but said they are listed due to a "substantiated allegation."

According to the Diocese of Covington, a claim of sexual abuse against a minor is considered a "substantiated allegation" when there is "probable cause for believing the claim is true."

The former FBI agents considered many factors as evidence of a probable cause, including "admission of guilt by the accused, guilty finding rendered by a court, finding rendered by an investigative process show cause for believing the allegation is true on an objective basis, the accused, when presented with the allegation and afforded a reasonable opportunity to respond, declined to address the allegation or the Special Masters appointed by the Court in the class action litigation against the Diocese made a monetary award from the class settlement fund based on a sworn claim form alleging one or more incidents of sexual abuse of a minor by the accused, and any other evidence that was submitted on behalf of the claimant."

The reviewers often had troubles determining is a claim was a substantiated allegation, due to the amount of time that had passed, conflicting evidence, lack or evidence or absence of other allegations or claims against the accused, Foys said. Some cases, though, were easier to determine as substantiated than others, as some abusers had multiple victims and claims against them.

Around 148 of the 400 filed claims were denied due to not enough credible evidence.

Anyone who may have experienced sexual abuse by a priest or a religious employee of the Diocese of Covington is asked to call 859-392-1515. Support will be provided and each victim will be provided with confidentiality and respect, according to the Diocese of Covington.