Wisconsin archdiocese hearing uncovers 8,000 abuse cases

Eight-fucking-thousand:

Sealed documents filed in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy identify at least 8,000 instances of child sexual abuse and 100 alleged offenders - 75 of them priests - who have not previously been named by the archdiocese, a victims' attorney said Thursday.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Julie Wolf said she did not have enough information to respond to the assertion, made by attorney Jeffrey Anderson during a pivotal hearing before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan V. Kelley. Anderson represents about 350 of the 570 victim-survivors who have filed claims in the case.

But Peter Isely of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests speculated that some are likely members of religious orders, such as Capuchins or Franciscans. Order officials do not typically make public the names of their accused members, and the archdiocese claims it is not responsible for them, though they have historically helped to staff its parishes and schools.

"This is a public safety crisis, a child safety crisis that needs to be investigated," Isely said at a news conference on the federal courthouse steps, surrounded by fellow survivors and reporters.

"We need to know who they are and where they are. How can there be 8,000 crimes committed by over 100 offenders and there be no accountability?" he said.

Well, it certainly helps when you’ve got a bunch of blowhards like Bill Donohue braying about how this is all teh gheys’ fault and happened years ago so it doesn’t even matter anymore, anyway. Speaking of which, how come we haven’t heard his excuses yet? He’s usually on these stories faster than a priest on altar boys.

(via Joe. My. God.)

Tags: Archdiocese of Milwaukee • clerical child abuse • Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests • SNAP • Bill Donohue • Catholic League • child molestation