Archdiocese of L.A. Releases New Names of Priests, Brothers Accused of Sex Abuse

By Barbara Jones
San Bernardino Sun
February 14, 2013

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_22586276/archdiocese-l-releases-new-names-priests-brothers-accused

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has quietly added the names of two dozen priests and brothers to its list of clergy accused of sexually abusing children.

In a two-page "final addendum" to its 2004 Report to the People of God, which was the church's response to the growing sex-abuse scandal, the archdiocese said the newly released names included those found during a follow-up review of its files. Some also were named in a lawsuit against the archdiocese, which resulted in a 2007 settlement of $660 million to more than 500 victims.

As part of the settlement, the archdiocese recently released some 12,000 documents detailing allegations of molestation against children, some going back decades. The files also revealed a cover-up of the abuse by Cardinal Roger Mahony, which led to an unprecedented public rebuke of the retired archbishop by his successor.

The list was posted on the archdiocese website at the same time the files were released, although no mention was made of it. The list of 49 names includes two dozen who were not previously known to be accused, according to BishopAccountability.org, which has been tracking sex-abuse in the Catholic Church and discovered the addendum.

Terry McKiernan, the group's president, wrote a letter to Archbishop Jose Gomez, calling on him to release details of where the newly named clergy served and the number of allegations against them.

"It is essential for everyone to know the nature of the allegations against these priests and brothers, because some of them may still pose a danger to children in Los Angeles, elsewhere in the United States and in other countries," McKiernan wrote.

Archdiocese officials could not be reached late Wednesday for comment.