List reveals names of dozens of Virginia priests facing 'credible' child sex abuse allegations

WRIC TV
February 13, 2019

https://bit.ly/2GESZ4F

Barry Knestout is introduced as new Bishop of Richmond back in December.

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has released the names of dozens of priests that are facing 'credible and substantiated' allegations of sexual abuse against a minor. 

The list, which contains the names of 42 priests, was published by the Diocese of Richmond Wednesday afternoon.

The full list of priests can be found below. 

“To the victims and to all affected by the pain of sexual abuse, our response will always be about what we are doing, not simply what we have done," the Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond, said in an open letter published with the clergy list.

"We will seek not just to be healed but will always be seeking healing. We will seek not just to be reconciled but will always be seeking reconciliation."

In an open letter addressed to the Catholic Church community last September, Bishop Barry Knestout says he is committed to addressing accusations of abuse quickly and transparently., Bishop Knestout promised to address all accusations 'quickly and transparently.'

• Va. Catholics gather in prayer, share thoughts on abuse allegations after Mass of Atonement

Snap, or Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called for the names, "that may have been omitted," to be added to the list on Wednesday. Snap also asked for additional background information about the priests, including how the diocese handled each allegation, to be made public.

We urge catholic officials in Virginia to not only go back to these lists and add any names that may have been omitted, but also to add work histories, information about current whereabouts and, critically, when the diocese first learned of the allegations and what their immediate response was. Only by including this information can we get a clearer picture of what went wrong in Virginia and what must be done now to protect children and prevent abuse."

                                                                                    -Snap

The diocese of Arlington released its own list of "clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse" on Wednesday. The list from the Arlington Diocese, which names 16 priests, makes the total number of clergy accused of sexually abusing minors in Virginia at 58. 

Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond

Priests ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond alleged to have committed abuse in the present-day territory of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and later incardinated to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington or alleged to have committed abuse in both dioceses.

Religious and Priests of Other Dioceses with allegations of abuse that occurred in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond

Religious and Priests of Other Dioceses with allegations of abuse elsewhere, who worked in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond