Helena Diocese Publishes Names of Accused As Part of Non-monetary Settlement Terms

By Tim McGonigal
KPAX
April 30, 2015

http://www.kpax.com/story/28945589/helena-diocese-publishes-names-of-accused-as-part-of-non-monetary-settlement-terms

The Diocese of Helena has agreed to post the names of members accused of child sexual abuse on its website.

This decision comes as one of the non-monetary terms for resolving the child sexual abuse cases brought against the Helena Roman Catholic Diocese (Whalen, et al. v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, et al., and Does, et al. v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, et al.).

The names will be available on the Diocese website for a minimum of 10 years.

The settlement comes after accusations of sexual abuse of children during the time period from the 1930's to the 1970's came to light.

The lawsuit claimed more than 360 people were victimized in this case.

The Diocese also is listing the names of priests against whom accusations of sexual abuse of minors have been made only to the Diocese.

In a press release, the Diocese said that they would continue to update the list, if and when new information comes to light.

According to the press release, the Diocese hopes that this step helps to provide a "path to healing" for those who have been abused and bring light into a dark and difficult chapter for the faithful in the diocesan Church.