Priest Scandal
In April 2008 during a visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI told reporters that he was “deeply ashamed” over the priest scandal and conceded that it had been “very badly handled.” The priest scandal was finally exposed in 2002, after the Catholic Church had spent decades trying to conceal the abuses that were taking place behind closed doors—namely, that children were being raped, sodomized, molested and otherwise sexually abused by priests and members of the Catholic clergy.
Priest Scandal Responsible for “Great Suffering”
On his April 2008 visit, the Pope also acknowledged that the priest scandal in the U.S. had caused “great suffering.” Indeed, the suffering cannot be overstated. So far:
- 13,000 victims have come forward with claims of sexual abuse suffered at the hands of priests and clergy members
- Roughly 5,000 priests have been accused
- Approximately $2 billion in compensation has been paid to victims – over $600 million in 2007 alone
- Six dioceses across the U.S. have had to declare bankruptcy over the cost of the priest scandal
Victims of the priest scandal, many of whom are now adults, still suffer the psychological and physical consequences of the abuse they endured. Some of the consequences victims have reported experiencing include:
- Problems sleeping
- Issues with sexual function
- Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
- Substance abuse
The Church’s Role in the Priest Scandal
Sexual abuse by pedophile priests is scandalous enough, but the scandal has been worsened by evidence that the Catholic Church made concerted efforts to hide the abuse from the public. Accused priests were moved to other parishes, allegations of abuse were never reported to police, and victims who came forward were either paid off with hush money or completely ignored.
Though the church has made public apologies over the priest scandal, it hardly makes up for the damage that has been done. Had the church officials come forward earlier (priest abuse goes back as far as 1950), they could have spared thousands of victims from suffering sexual abuse.
Victims of the Priest Scandal
Victims of the priest scandal may be entitled to compensation for the abuses they endured. The Catholic Church has settled thousands of cases, with each victim receiving compensation based on the circumstances of his/her individual case.
If you have suffered sexual abuse by a priest or a clergy member, it is important to understand that you have legal options. Seeking compensation cannot undo what has been done, but it may help you to find some closure. Contact the attorneys at Burke & Eisner today if you have questions about the priest scandal and your legal rights. We offer free, confidential case evaluations.
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