NYC Catholic Church Releases List Of Priests Accused Of Sex Abuse

NEW YORK, NY — The New York City Archdiocese released a list Friday containing the names of 120 priests that the church has found credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor, possessing child pornography or other claims that warrant compensation to a victim.

The decision to release the list was made after hearing the stories of survivors of abuse by Catholic priests, Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote in a letter Friday. None of the priests on the church's list are currently in ministry, Dolan wrote.

"I write today as someone who himself realizes the shame that has come upon our Church due to the sexual abuse of minors. I write to ask forgiveness again for the failings of those clergy and bishops who should have provided for the safety of our young people but instead betrayed the trust placed in them by God and by the faithful," Dolan wrote in the letter.

The 120-name list was put on the New York City Archdiocese website on Friday. The people on the list were all found to be credibly accused of abuse or subject to a claim made through the church's Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program where the church found compensation appropriate.

It's worth noting that priests accused of abuse but not found responsible by the church are not included on the list. Inclusion on the list does not mean that the priests were ever found guilty of a crime, according to church officials.

Information about credibly accused priests such as their name, the date they were ordained, the date they died and their current status with the church is included on the archdiocese's list. The list does not include information about the claims made against the priests or the positions they held within the archdiocese.

"Please be assured there is not a single priest or deacon of the Archdiocese of New York against whom there has been a credible and substantiated claim of abuse against a minor currently in ministry," Dolan wrote in his letter.