February 18, 2005

Church submits sexual abuse list

MEMPHIS (TN)
KnoxNews

By Associated Press
February 18, 2005

MEMPHIS - Memphis Roman Catholic Church officials have given prosecutors the names of several employees, including priests, who are accused of child sexual abuse.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Rardin, the chief prosecutor of child sexual abuse cases in Shelby County, said Wednesday that the accused employees number "approximately 10 or less."

He wouldn't be more specific, citing state law governing the confidentiality of child sexual abuse complaints.

But Catholic Bishop J. Terry Steib acknowledged in 2003 that the diocese had received complaints of sexual abuse involving seven priests.

The diocese agreed Jan. 5 to report all past and any future allegations made to the diocese of child sexual abuse involving priests, clergy and any other church employees in Shelby County.

Diocesan officials said in December that they didn't believe they had to report the cases because of the way they interpreted the law.

Posted by kshaw at February 18, 2005 04:14 AM