MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
By Elizabeth Mohr
emohr@pioneerpress.com
The names of 17 more Roman Catholic clergy accused of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis were released Wednesday by attorneys representing people who say they were victims.
Though some names have surfaced in discussions of abuse, none has been formally accused of sexually abusing children until now.
Attorney Jeff Anderson’s firm said a notice of claim has been filed with the archdiocese for each named clergy member. A claim is not a lawsuit, but a precursor to one. But because the archdiocese has filed for bankruptcy protection, no new lawsuits can be filed and the claims will be filed with U.S. Bankruptcy court as part of the chancery’s reorganization.
The 17 new names bring to 55 the number of clergy against whom Anderson’s firm has filed lawsuits or claims.
“The more information that gets out about the abuse here, the better our kids are protected,” said attorney Mike Finnegan, who works at the Anderson firm. “Also, having the names out there allows others who were abused by these people to know they are not alone and that they can come forward and get help now.”
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