San Jose Diocese Releases Names Of Priests Accused Of Sexual Abuse
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- The head of the San Jose diocese of the Roman Catholic Church Thursday released a list of names of priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse of children.
Bishop Patrick McGrath released the names of clergy after the diocese hosted listening sessions where people shared their experiences as sexual abuse victims.
In a statement, McGrath said, "I express my deepest apologies for the actions of those who were in positions of authority and who violated that sacred trust by abusing children."
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The list names 15 priests, 10 of whom are dead. About half of the priests were allowed to continue working, sometimes for years after they were accused.
"I give the diocese credit for releasing the list," said John Salberg, who says he was repeatedly molested over the span of seven years by Rev. Joseph Richard, one of the 15 priests on the list. " A little sick to my stomach about the fact that there is a list, and that this information is coming out now."
Reading over the list, Salberg was skeptical because years ago, he was told there were no more priest abuse to report. "I was told in 2002 that they had done everything possible and revealed everything possible," said Salberg. "And then miraculously, there are this many more new priests added. I don't think that's my accident."
Salberg said he believes there are more priests who have not yet been discovered.
Joey Piscitelli with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said it took him less than a half hour to find seven names of priests he says are credibly accused, but did not appear on the list.
He vows to pressure the church to do the right thing. "It's not forthcoming, it's not honest. And they're going to be busted for it, essentially because we're going to be getting names now of priests that they left off," said Piscitelli. "And if you ask me, it would have to be intentional, because how could you leave out priests that were accused and sued, and serial molesters. You just leave them off the list?"
Earlier this month, the Oakland diocese also announced its intention to release names of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse, as have dozens of dioceses in the U.S. amid a deepening sexual abuse scandal in which church leaders allowed accused priests to continue serving.
On Thursday, the Archdiocese of San Francisco was scheduled to hold its own listening session for victims of sexual abuse.
