TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade
April 29, 2020
By Nicki Gorny
The Diocese of Toledo on Wednesday released the names of seven deceased clerics who are credibly accused of sexual abuse.
In each case an accuser had come forward after the cleric had died.
The Diocesan Review Board considered their cases this year and last year. The diocese for years declined to name or consider allegations against clerics in such cases “as they can neither defend themselves against the accusation nor possibly be a future threat to anyone if the allegation were true,” according to an explanation the diocese provided for years on its website. But in April, 2019, the diocese announced that it would begin to put this category of cases before the Diocesan Review Board.
That process is now complete, the diocese announced on Wednesday.
“Bishop Daniel Thomas determined that it was critical to be completely transparent in our dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors, and to assist victims who are searching for their abuser by providing the most complete information available,” Kelly Donaghy, senior communications director for the diocese, said in an email.
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