58 Hawaii priests accused of child sex abuse; deadline to file a civil claim extended

HONOLULU (HAWAII)
KHON 2

By Brigette Namata

July 11, 2018

[See also the report.]

Allegations of Hawaii priests sexually assaulting children date as far back as the 1950s.

A detailed report compiled by law firm Jeff Anderson and Associates PA and the Law Office of Mark Gallagher reveal 58 men associated with the Diocese of Honolulu who have been accused of sexually abusing children.

The report also shows a letter written by a priest with Maryknoll Fathers, dated November 6, 1959, to another priest on the mainland. In the letter, the priest admits Hawaii was considered a “dumping ground” for troubled clerics from the mainland and the Philippines and Guam. He warned against transferring two troubled priests to the islands, adding “these two men might be most dangerous out here.”

The letter went on to continue: “If you decide to send them out, I would ask that it is made plain that we will not stand for any nonsense out here.”

Lawmakers have now extended the window for survivors of sexual abuse. Victims have until April 24,2020 to come forward and file a civil claim.

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