Columbus Diocese Plans To Reveal Names Of Priests Accused Of Abuse

Gabe Rosenberg, WOSU

The Catholic Diocese of Columbus says it will release a list naming priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

“The Diocese of Columbus understands that this is an important step to restore the confidence of our faithful in their Church and its clergy,” the diocese said in a statement provided to WOSU.

Columbus says the list of names should be available “within the next few months.” The dioceses of Youngstown and  Steubenville recently announced a similar move.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Cleveland says it has had a website since 2002 listing the names of clergy removed from ministry due to child sexual abuse allegations. The website has continued to be updated since then.

“The Diocese of Columbus has procedures in place specifically designed to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, with zero tolerance for any form of child abuse,” the diocese said. “All credible claims of child sexual abuse are immediately reported to law enforcement and/or children service agencies, and those active clergy against whom such claims have been made are immediately removed from ministry and church property pending a completion of the investigation.”

The Columbus diocese  oversees106 parishes, 219 priests and a Catholic population of almost 300,000.

A recent grand jury report in Pennsylvania revealed more than 300 priests alleged to have molested more than 1,000 children. Since then, several states including New York and New Jersey have announced their own statewide investigations. Bishops in Ohio have called for a similar investigation.

The Columbus diocese is  facing a lawsuit from a former student of St. Charles Preparatory School, who alleges he was molested by a teacher in the early 2000s. The man says the diocese was aware of the abuse but failed to take action.

Last year,  the diocese suspended a New Albany priest over “excessive and questionable” contact with a minor. The priest later took his life.

The Columbus diocese said people who experienced sexual abuse by clergy or other church officials should contact law enforcement and the Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at 614-224-2251 or helpisavailable@columbuscatholic.org.