The investigative news source ProPublica compiled and released a thorough list of Catholic clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, including hundreds of priests from California.

ProPublica’s database encompasses all the lists American Catholic religious orders dioceses have released as of about 2018. According to ProPublica’s officials, many American dioceses point to a 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report announcing the names of over 300 “predator priests” as the moment that drove them to publish lists of their own.

These lists typically detail the names of Catholic clergy—deacons, priests, nuns, etc.—the Church found to be credibly accused of sexually abusing children along with the year they were ordained and the dioceses they served in.  

ProPublica’s list includes the names from 178 individually released lists from religious community leaders, bishops, and archbishops across the nation. So far, 10 California dioceses have released names of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, and they are included in ProPublica’s database. Between the 10 dioceses, 757 California clergy have been named for sexually abusing children.

California clergy included in this database worked for the following archdioceses:

• Los Angeles
• San Bernardino
• Orange
• San Diego
• Sacramento
• San Jose
• Oakland
• Stockton
• Monterey
• Santa Rosa

ProPublica noted that some of the accused clergy members who worked for multiple dioceses may be named twice on the list. Some California dioceses have failed to release any lists, including the Diocese of Fresno and the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

However, many fear the lists released so far have been too carefully tailored by the Catholic dioceses. Some survivors and advocates of Catholic Church sexual abuse worry that because of different methods for deeming an allegation credible and the lack of accountability in curating these lists, names of abusers may be missing or intentionally left off.

“Each diocese and religious order sets its own standard for determining the credibility of allegations,” reported Ellis Simani and Lexi Churchill for ProPublica.

Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, you are not alone or without options for help. You may be eligible to file a claim against the Catholic Church for your abuse and hold them accountable for the crimes of the past.

Over 6,754 names of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse have been released to the public so far, and your abuser’s name may be on the list. The Catholic Church has gotten away with hiding sexual abuse for too long, and your voice can hold them accountable.

To learn if you are eligible to file a claim against the Church and pursue justice for your abuse, contact us right away. We have legal professionals standing by 24/7 to explain your rights and options. We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations for your ease and peace of mind, and our professionals take care and concern for each and every case. To learn more about your rights, call 1.866.428.2529.