WINONA (MN)
Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona

[with list of names]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joel Hennessy, Director of Communications
jhennessy@dow.org office 507.858.1249 cell 507.254.3948

WINONA, MN – December 16, 2013 – In 2002, the National Review Board commissioned the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to conduct a blind study to determine the nature and scope of child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Each diocese in the United States was contacted by John Jay College and was required to report the number of priests within its diocese who had “credible” accusations of abuse.

The national study required the report of any accusation that was not implausible (see definition below). This included allegations that did not necessarily result in a criminal, civil or diocesan investigation and allegations that were unsubstantiated.

The national study defined an implausible allegation as one…