• The U.S. bishops have reported receiving allegations of abuse by 6,115 priests in 1950-2011, or 5.6% of the 109,694 U.S. priests active since 1950. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AtAGlance/data.htm)
• Experts at the Vatican summit in February, 2012 state that there are more than 100,000 victims in the USA alone. (http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-abuse-summit-22-billion-and-100000-victims-us-alone)

• Statement from Preamble of Charter for the protection of children and young people, US Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Since 2002, the Church in the United States has experienced a crisis without precedent in our times. The sexual abuse of children and young people by some deacons, priests, and bishops, and the ways in which these crimes and sins were addressed, have caused enormous pain, anger, and confusion.” (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/Charter-for-the-Protection-of-Children-and-Young-People-revised-2011.pdf )

• According to the policy of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Diocesan/eparchial policy is to provide that for even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor*—whenever it occurred—which is admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest or deacon is to be permanently removed from ministry and, if warranted, dismissed from the clerical state. … The diocesan/eparchial bishop is to exercise his power of governance, within the parameters of the universal law of the Church, to ensure that any priest or deacon subject to his governance who has committed even one act of sexual abuse of a minor as described below (see note) shall not continue in ministry. ” (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/2011-Charter-booklet.pdf, p 11-12.)
• And was first announced in 2002 by then-President, Bishop Wilton Gregory: “Today, we have seen the passage of an important document in the history of our Conference of Bishops. From this day forward, no one known to have sexually abused a child will work in the Catholic Church in the United States.” (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2002_06_14_Hansen_AnalysisUS.htm)

• According to the policy of the US Conference: “Dioceses/eparchies are to be open and transparent in communicating with the public about sexual abuse of minors by clergy within the confines of respect for the privacy and the reputation of the individuals involved. This is especially so with regard to informing parish and other church communities directly affected by sexual abuse of a minor.” (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/2011-Charter-booklet.pdf p 12.)

But here's what we do know:

 --In 2002, using information that was already in the public arena, the Dallas Morning News found 109, out of the 272 active bishops ignoring, concealing or enabling wrongdoing.

Now, 27 of them are still in the same office today and 7 of them have been promoted or moved to a different diocese.

 -- Three complicit US bishops have essentially been promoted and now live and/or work at the Vatican

• Boston Cardinal Bernard Law (http://www.snapnetwork.org/disgraced_cardinal_law_still_picks_bishops)
• St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2010_statements/102010_burke_is_promoted_by_pope_sex_abuse_victims_respond.htm)
• San Francisco Archbishop William Levada  (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2005_statements/051305_levada_vatican_post.htm)

--Two complicit auxiliary bishops who were harshly criticized in a Philadelphia grand jury report were promoted to head their own dioceses.

• Saginaw Bishop Joseph Cistone (http://www.snapnetwork.org/saginaw_bishop_implicated_again_in_child_sex_cover_up)
• Allentown Bishop Cullen (now retired) (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2005_09_23_Sheehan_BishopCullen.htm ; http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/PDFs/clergyAbuse2-finalReport.pdf)

--At least 8 US Cardinals have hidden the crimes of child molesting clerics

• http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2008_press_releases/041608_SNAP_issues_new_list_of_worst'_US_cardinals.htm

 --At least 22 US bishops have been accused of molesting children themselves

• http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/accused/

• In 2006,Schweitz served with a lawsuit seeking names of abusive priests, kept secret. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/09_10/2006_10_18_Yahoo_25More.htm)
• • Schweitz knew Rev. Timothy Crowley was abusive (who was transferred to Alaska from MI under previous archbishop) and he did nothing. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2003_07_12/2003_11_16_Tsong_PriestsPast.htm)

• In February, a spokesman denied a lawsuit's allegation that the diocese was employing a "known priest-pedophile." Later, the spokesman acknowledged that the accused priest (Rev. Paul Seitz) remained on the job, after having been suspended in the mid-1990s, moved to a smaller parish and ordered not to be alone with children.   (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/DallasMorningNewsBishops.htm#baker)
• In 2000, Bishop Baker transferred Rev. John Bench to a diocese in Florida, after paying a settlement to the family of a young girl the priest admitted abusing. The bishop relented after the family protested.

• In 2002, Barnes ousted four priests from ministry who had remained on diocesan payroll for years despite having credible allegations of abuse against them. When he ousted them, Barnes refused to name two of the priests, and name donly Fr. Luque and Fr. Corvas. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_04_22_Nelson_PriestWill_Peter_Luque_7.htm)
• Barnes has continued to try to keep files from the diocese secret from the public, and in 2005 he was criticized for making a backroom deal with the District Attorney to keep the file of Fr. Jesse Dominguez secret. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2005_press_releases/072105_CA_Sex_Abuse_Secret_Deal.html)

• Less than one month ago, Bishop Robert Brom restored to ministry a priest who had pled no contest to sexual battery after he was arrested for groping a teenage girl in her home. Despite the fact that the priest, Fr. Jose Alexis Davila, has a criminal sexual record, Brom put him back in a parish. While the legal system was running its course, however, Brom allowed Davila’s parishioners to hold public rallies that demonized the victim. (http://www.examiner.com/article/catholic-priest-reinstated-to-church-after-alleged-sexual-abuse-of-woman)
• Brom himself was accused of abuse while he was still working in Milwaukee. He testified in 2006 that he was investigated in the 1990s for abuse, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee later paid a settlement to the man who was a seminarian at the time of the alleged abuse. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_03_22_Kurkjian_LyndaGorov_Robert_Brom_Bp_1.htm)
• He later fought legal battles to prevent the release of records that may show his complicity in the aforementioned abuse. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/03_04/2007_02_28_CityOfAngels_BromPublishes.htm)

• McGrath allowed two dangerous predators to work in his diocese for decades without warning parishioners.
• In 1976, Fr. Lionel Noia was arrested and pled no contest to felony lewd endangerment for molesting two boys at camp and served six months in jail. After serving his time, Noia returned to ministry. New allegations surfaced in 2002 that Noia had abused again in the mid 1980s. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_07_14_Bailey_2Families_Leonel_Noia_1.htm)
• Rev. Robert Gray was removed in 2002 after being accused of abusing a child (with two other priests) in the 1980’s. His accuser claimed that he came forward twice, in 1994 and 1998, but the diocese did nothing. Criminal charges were dropped, but the diocese settled civil cases against him. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_07_23_CourierJournal_ArchdioceseReturns_Robert_Gray_1.htm)

• • Fr. Richard P. McGann was suspended from ministry, but Mansell never admitted why. Fr. McGann was then allowed to work at a day care center, but was investigated by CT health department. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/052511_predator_lives_at_day_care_center_victims_say.htm
• While bishop of Buffalo, Mansell kept secret dozen’s of predator priests names. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/otherstates/ny_buffalo_diocese_circumspect.htm)

• A twice convicted predator priest was allowed by Wuerl to move to Maine and continue working. (http://bangordailynews.com/2010/12/22/news/priest-abuse-group-demands-apology-from-bar-harbor/)
• Has shown general disregard for survivors. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_letters/2010_letters/042010_letter_to_archbishop_donald_w_wuerl.htm)

• Bishop Robert Lynch, violated a 2002 national church sex abuse policy that mandates “openness and transparency” in child sex cases. The group believes Lynch acted “irresponsibly” by not disclosing the initial allegation and the settlement. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_letters/2010_letters/042010_letter_to_archbishop_donald_w_wuerl.htm)

• Kept Fr. Fitzgerald in a rural parish after finding out that he exchanged sexual emails with a 13-year old boy. Later sent Fitzgerald to a treatment center, but intended to return him to his parish only abandoning the plan after more allegations of sexual abuse serviced. (http://wcfcourier.com/news/top_news/article_ca482e33-814a-5e82-96fe-cb9a08123739.html)
• Hanus is named in a sexual abuse cover-up lawsuit steaming from his time as abbot in MO. (http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Archbishop-of-Dubuque-Involved-in-Sexual-Abuse-Lawsuit-124544819.html)

• When Driscoll served as the Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Orange, he received multiple allegations of abuse against Rev. Eleuterio Ramos. However, Driscoll failed to follow up on any of the allegations, and allowed Ramos to be reassigned to a diocese in Mexico. He later lied during a deposition and claimed that he had no knowledge of allegations against Ramos. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2005_12_14_Arellano_KingOf.htm)
• When Fr. William Gould was permanently ousted from ministry in 2010 following a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, it was revealed by the diocese that he had been quietly suspended twice before, once in 1989 and again in 2010.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2010/05_06/2010_05_15_Roberts_IdahoPriest.htm)

• Cardinal Francis George repeatedly ignored or failed to act on warnings regarding Fr. Dan McCormack, one of the most prolific predators in Chicago history. He was first accused of abuse while a seminarian and despite warnings then, and again in 2000, 2003 and 2005 (after he was arrested); Cardinal George kept McCormack in ministry. (http://www.bishop- accountability.org/news2006/01_02/2006_01_26_Falsani_NunWarned.htm) 
• The McCormack situation was especially glaring because, in 2002, it had been Cardinal George who had urged his brother bishops to immediately remove any priest from ministry that had a credible accusation against him (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/07_08/2007_07_02_Ahmed_PriestAdmits.htm)
• In 2003, Cardinal George allowed a convicted child molesting priest, Fr. Kenneth J. Martin, to continue to work in the Chicago archdiocese. George told no one about Martin nor his conviction despite the fact that six months earlier, he had pledged to be “open and transparent’ about abuse.    (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_02_28_Falsani_GeorgeHosting_Kenneth_J_Martin_3.htm)
• In 2008, a deposition taken by Cardinal George revealed that he had attempted to get another predator released early from jail. Fr. Norbert Maday, a convicted serial predator, was serving time in a Wisconsin prison while George directed staff to spend time finding ways to win Maday an early release from prison.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/07_08/2008_08_14_Herrmann_VictimCop.htm)

• In 1998, Bishop Jacobs sent the Rev. John Andries to therapy after a credible accusation of abuse was received. After therapy, Andries returned to ministry, despite the fact he was not supposed to be around children, and was found two years later to have continued abusing children, including being charged with sexual battery for an incident in 2001. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_04_19_McConnaughey_2La_Andries_AND_Rogge_2.htm)

• While working as the bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Bp. Jarell allowed the Rev. Robert Melancon to remain in ministry, despite a credible accusation of abuse and after paying $30,000 to one of his victims in 1993. Two years later, another victim came forward. Melancon is currently serving a life sentence. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/1995_07_24_Nolan_SexCharges_Robert_Melancon_1.htm)

• Allowed a teacher, Brian Matherne, to remain on the job despite the fact that he had been accused of sexual abuse in 1998. Aymond did not inform police of the investigation because the victim was being “uncooperative.” Matherne was later tried and convicted after he admitting to molesting at least 17 boys during his time in New Orleans. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2009/07_08/2009_08_20_Nolan_NewArchbishop.htm)

• In 2008, it was disclosed that, for the second year in a row, O’Malley was violating the US bishops’ child sex abuse prevention policy. According to other officials, O’Malley was failing to train kids how to avoid or stop being victimized. Every child was supposed to receive the training, yet only 20% of  kids did. O’Malley also failed to discipline a single individual for flaunting this national requirement.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/03_04/2006_03_10_Levenson_88Victims.htm)
• In 2006, in a case with disturbing parallels to many earlier Boston pedophile priest cases, O’Malley moved very slowly against, and gingerly with, a prominent Catholic hospital official who faces multiple allegations of sexually harassing employees. A high-ranking human resources official at the hospital “accused O’Malley of improperly interfering in the investigation to help the accused, giving him advance notice of the probe, providing him with an adviser, and telling of the reprimand before consulting with the board,” according to the Boston Globe.
• The Cardinal’s actions “have made a mockery of the investigation. It is nothing short of shameful,” the human resource official wrote. “Perhaps most troubling” was what she called the "near absence” of concern for the women complainants that she said was shown by the church hierarchy.  (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/21/omalley_reprimands_caritas_chief/)

• In 2002, while Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT, Lori allowed two priests – Fr. Stanley Koziol and Fr. Gregory Smith – to work for decades despite the fact that they had been both subject to child sex abuse allegations. Lori removed only after public pressure. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_04_22_Frahm_OusterTwo_Stanley_Koziol_ETC.htm)
• Last December, a Connecticut newspaper disclosed that Fr. Jean Marie DeGraff was arrested in October for allegedly molesting at least one child in Canada in 2010 and 2011. From 2007 to 2008, DeGraff worked at St. Mary Parish on Greenwich Avenue and other churches in western Connecticut, and during that time he had been the subject of allegations of abuse. Rather than remove Fr. DeGraff, Bishop Lori instead sent him to Canada where he was able to abuse another child. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/11_12/2011_12_07_Hennessey_PriestWith.htm)

• Bishop Gaydos was one of several others who remained silent with Fr. Anthony O’Connell was promoted to Bishop of Knoxville, TN, despite the fact that Gaydos’ diocese had paid a settlement out to a seminarian who was victimized by O’Connell in the 1970’s. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_04_19_Stearns_SuitSays_John_Tulipana_2.htm)
• The Rev. Don Wallace had been accused of abuse by four boys in 1997, he was made to undergo a short treatment program and was reassigned. He remained in ministry until 1998. Bishop Gaydos did not make any of the allegations public.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/2002_03_12_AP_AnotherParish_Donald_Wallace_1.htm)

• Bishop Finn now faces criminal charges (and a trial in September) in Jackson County, MO for his role in covering up the crimes of Fr. Shawn Ratigan.  Ratigan was caught with child porn on his diocesan computer. Instead of turning the laptop over to police, Finn and/or his staff gave the laptop back to Ratigan’s family.     (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/07_08/2011_07_01_Smith_AttorneyKc.htm)
• Finn’s second in command had been warned by a parochial school principal who had been given information from a group of parents regarding their suspicions of Ratigan’s misbehavior. Instead of acting on this information, Finn and his staff did nothing, enabling Ratigan’s crimes to continue. (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2HfheOzQfp5YzQ2MjhjZTItNDE5Yi00NzZkLTljNDctNDVjZmQxNjhiN2E0/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1)

• In his previous post as Bishop of Springfield, IL, Archbishop Lucas allowed his predecessor, Bishop Daniel Ryan, to continue to celebrate mass and remain in priestly capacity, despite the fact that Ryan was dogged by multiple accusations of having sex with young men.  (http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Archdiocese_Statement_on_Removed_Priest_118241919.html?ref=919)
• In 2010, as Archbishop of Omaha, Lucas was silent to police and parishioners regarding the sex abuse allegations against Fr. John Fiala, a priest who famously attempted to hire an assassin to kill his victim.   (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2011_statements/022111_group_blasts_omaha_archbishop_over_predator.htm)
• In 2011, Lucas told his flock that Fr. Perry Robinson was being put “on sabbatical” due to his advanced age. In fact, they had actually suspended Robinson upon learning of sexual abuse allegations.   (http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Archdiocese_Statement_on_Removed_Priest_118241919.html?ref=919)

• Shielded at least 4 priests accused of sexual abuse since the 2002 Dallas Charter.  In the four instances the priests admitted to or were charged with sexual abuse. (http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/newark_archbishop_shielded_at.html) (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2010_statements/120610_victims_to_nj_archbishop_house_predator_priests_in_secure_treatment_center.htm)

• Father Ronald Bruckner accused of sexual abuse under Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan. After Sheehan claimed the allegations were investigated 6 more men came forward claiming action was never taken. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2004_press_releases/073004_helpfrom_new_mexico_bishop.htm)

• For almost two decades up to the major break in 2002, Bishop Hubbard allowed a man who he knew to be a child abuser to work outside of his diocese, including as a missionary in Africa. Hubbard claimed that since he had heard no new complaints about the Rev. David Bentley, he allowed him to work for his last few months at a parish in the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_06_27_Tilghman_AbusesCost_Mark_Haight_2.htm)
• In 2002, Hubbard acknowledged that for a long time his diocese had a practice of reassigning priests who were accused of misconduct to serve as chaplains in hospitals. He claims this practice has ended. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/DallasMorningNewsBishops.htm#Hubbard)

• While in Camden, DiMarzio let an admitted and charged molester, the Rev. John P. Connor, work as a hospital chaplain and live in two parish rectories, where he allegedly abused more children. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_04_21_OReilly_HowA_John_P_Connor_2.htm)
• In 2004, after a seven year struggle by two victims (and a nearly year-long struggle involving DiMarzio), the Brooklyn bishop finally suspended an accused predator priest. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/news/otherstates/ny_accused_priest_dismissed.htm)

• Last year, Fr. Jaime Duenas was arrested for repeatedly abusing a 16-year-old girl over three days at her parish job. Then, Dolan posted on his blog a statement essentially attacking the girl and questioning why she went back to work the second and third days. Despite SNAP’s protests, Dolan’s callous post is still up. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2012/01_02/2012_01_12_Rose_NYCOfficials.htm)
• Last year, the public learned that there was child porn on a Bronx assistant principal’s school computer. At that time, it was also revealed that Catholic officials – including Dolan – had kept silent for nine months about the child porn, giving the criminal and his supervisors ample time to destroy evidence, fabricate alibis, intimidate witnesses, threaten whistleblowers and thwart law enforcement.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/11_12/2011_11_28_TheGothamist_ExcatholicHigh.htm)
• In 2010, Dolan told parishioners that Msgr. Wallace A. Harris wouldn’t return to his Harlem parish and left the impression that Harris is stepping aside because of alleged health problems. However, Harris is an accused pedophile priest who was temporarily suspended in 2008 and who faces at least ten men who report that he abused them as kids, and was resigning due to lawsuits. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2010/09_10/2010_09_16_Vitello_HarlemMonsignor.htm)
• Last month, newly disclosed secret Milwaukee archdiocesan records showed that Dolan and his staff paid up to $20,000 to some proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics. Dolan had at least three options:  First, work to get predators charged, convicted and imprisoned. Second, work to get them housed in remote, secure, independent treatment centers. Three, work to get them quietly defrocked to save church officials money and enable the predators to quietly move onto new homes and jobs among unsuspecting families and co-workers. Dolan chose the most problematic of these options.
• In 2002, Dolan (like his peers) pledged to be 'open & transparent' about clergy sex crimes. But the next year, Dolan secretly paid predator priests. In 2006, when confronted about it by a reporter, Dolan lied.For six years, Dolan let his deception stand uncorrected. And when confronted last month with a clear memo showing the "settlements," Dolan kept silent. Days later, instead of answering questions, he went on the attack.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/assign/Becker_Rev_Franklyn_William.htm#Dolan)
• On Sunday, Dolan finally responded, repeating his 'charity' lie, and attacking the New York Times and our group.If Dolan thinks this is the right approach - secretly paying admitted, serial predator priests to quietly move elsewhere among unsuspecting families, neighbors and co-workers, why didn't he say so in 2003 or why won't he say so now?

• Bishop Clark, who famously in the 1990’s wrote that pedophile priests were “afflicted, but not sinful,” allowed at least six priest who had been credibly accused of abuse in the 1970’s and 1980’s to continue to live and work in the diocese, despite complaints from their victims.
• The priests were Rev. Thomas Burr, Rev. Foster Rogers, Rev. David Simon, Rev. William Lum, Rev. Thomas Corbett, and Rev. Joseph Brodnick. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/DallasMorningNewsBishops.htm#clark)

• As the auxiliary to the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in Chicago, he over saw the reinstating of Father Calicott; even though Calicott admitted to abusing boys in the 1970s. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/1995_10_13_Galloway_ChurchReinstates_John_Calicott_3A.htm)

• In 2002, Bishop Trautman emphatically claimed that his diocese had been safe from the sex abuse crisis, despite the fact that at the time he had on staff a priest who had been arrested in 1999 for child porn, but was able to escape due to a legal technicality. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1999_03_11_Flowers_ChildPorn_Robert_Bower_1.htm)
• Bishop Trautman also repeatedly refused to work with prosecutors and assist in investigations. After being forced to turn over some files, Trautman later said that his review of them caused him to suspend some priests, yet he refused to name any.  (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/DallasMorningNewsBishops.htm#Trautman)

• In November 2007, a victim reported having been sexually abused by Fr. Stephen Horn (between 1989 and 1993). DiNardo found the victim credible and suspended Horn. For two months, however, DiNardo kept the allegation and his determination secret from parishioners, police and the public (despite US bishops’ repeated pledges to act quickly and openly with sex abuse allegations). The delay gave Horn, a credibly accused molester, ample opportunity to fabricate alibis, destroy evidence, intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, or even flee the country, as some pedophile priests have done.Part of DiNardo’s secrecy and delay occurred in the weeks between when the Pope announced that DiNardo would be named a Cardinal (October 2007) and when DiNardo was promoted amid much pageantry (November 24). Some Houston Catholics have speculated that DiNardo did not want the news of Horn’s crimes to “rain on (DiNardo’s) parade” (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/01_02/2008_02_04_KPRCLOCAL2_GroupProtests.htm)
• In 2010, DiNardo did nothing when it surfaced that a Houston priest, Fr. Walter Dayton Salisbury, had been convicted of child sex crimes, moved to Maine, lived in public housing and sat on a town’s public housing board.  (http://houstoninformer.net/convicted-houston-predator-priest-causes-controversy-in-maine-p346-92.htm)

• Allowed a predator priest to minister at a hospital associated with a children’s medical center. (http://www.nyclergyabuse.com/documents/New_York/Anthony%20Eremito.pdf)
• Five priests and one deacon found to have sexual abuse allegations against them in the Lubbock dioceses. (http://lubbockonline.com/stories/011204/loc_011204036.shtml)

• Bishop Pfeifer was claimed to have known of allegations of sex abuse by Fr. Miguel Esquivel in 1991. In 1993, Pfeifer sent Esquivel to a treatment facility for “inappropriate approaches to women,” but then returned him to ministry. Esquivel worked under Pfeifer until 2002 when he was arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/2003_05_15_Sissom_VictimBishop_Miguel_Esquivel_2.htm) (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/2002_06_06_AP_WestTexas_Miguel_Esquivel_1.htm)

• In 1999, the Rev. John Flynn moved to Bishop Corrada del Rio’s diocese with “the full knowledge of the bishop.” Flynn had supposedly retired from ministry in 1997 after being forced to admit that he had abused a girl twenty years earlier. Despite his retirement, Bishop Corrada del Rio allowed Fr. Flynn to work without restrictions until he forced the priest out in 2002. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_05_22_APStateLocalWire_CatholicPriest_John_Flynn_6.htm)

• Transferred known predator priest. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1994_08_09_Gillman_ClericOkd_Robert_Peebles_4.htm)

• In 1994 DiLorenzo was the Bishop in HI. Under his watch Fr. Manuel Feliciano abused two boys. Feliciano pled guilty in court. In the lawsuit filed against the diocese the mother of the two boys claimed other allegations of abuse by Feliciano but the DiLorenzo did nothing. DiLorenzo demanded the mother pay the dioceses legal fee because she was at fault for allowing her children to be alone with Feliciano. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/DallasMorningNewsBishops.htm#DiLorenzo)

• Ordained Fr. Alejandro Flores in the Diocese of Joliet, who was known to be “sexually troubled” while in Seminary and had been caught with “young-looking” porn.  After ordination, it was found out Flores had been abusing a young boy for at least 5 years.Despite Sartain supposedly “keeping a close watch” on Flores, the priest attempted suicide in the church (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2010/01_02/2010_01_20_Ward_ShorewoodPriest.htm)
• In a separate instance, he hid allegations against two priests for at least five months. He only made the claims public after SNAP had already outed them. Months after the fate of these two priests was decided, Sartain continued to keep parishioners in the dark, refusing to disclose details of the allegations, investigations, and results. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2010_press_releases/092010_victims_want_seattle_archbishops_appointment_rescinded.htm)

• Mahony has been repeatedly accused of shuffling prolific serial predator Oliver O’Grady around from parish to parish, allowing him to abuse more children than if he had defrocked O’Grady when he had originally been made clear of the warning signs. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/ma-bos/settlements/SettlementStocktonOGrady.html)
• For years, Mahony stayed secretly let an admitted child molesting cleric live in his archdiocese (in a picturesque religious complex overlooking the ocean), despite the cleric’s being wanted on criminal charges in Canada. In 2005, when SNAP and others demanded that Mahony and his colleagues turn over Franciscan friar Gerald Chumik to law enforcement, Mahony let Chumik move from Santa Barbara Mission Church in Santa Barbara to Missouri, For 14 years, Chumik has been a fugitive from his native Canada. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2005_01_06/2005_02_28_Shinkle_PriestPleads.htm)
• In October 2005, (more than three years after Mahony pledged “openness” about child sex abuse and cover ups), Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said “Three years ago, I urged Cardinal Mahony to provide the fullest possible disclosure of evidence of sexual abuse by clergy. Despite two court rulings ordering full disclosure, Cardinal Mahony continues to claim ‘confidentiality privileges’ that no court has recognized.” (http://da.co.la.ca.us/mr/archive/2005/101205a.htm?zoom_highlight=clergy)

• Walsh rejected the recommendation of his own advisory panel concerning predator priest Joseph Alzugaray. (One of Alzugaray’s victims was paid a settlement of a million dollars.) The board recommended that Alzugaray be removed for repeatedly abusing a young girl, yet Walsh declined to do so. Walsh did not offer any reasoning or motive for his decision, saying only “I will not comment on my decision.” (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2010/03_04/2010_04_28_Espinoza_MemberOf.htm)
• When Fr. Francisco Ochoa was accused of abuse in 2005, Walsh notified the priest first, before informing the police. This days-long delay gave Ochoa enabled to escape the country and return to his native Mexico before authorities could arrest him. Ochoa remained free until he died in 2009. Walsh did this despite the fact that Ochoa himself had admitted to the bishop that he had a history of abusing kids. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/07_08/2006_07_28_Espinoza_WalshDefends.htm)

• Prior to becoming a bishop, McCormack worked under Boston’s Cardinal Bernard Law and was in charge of investigating clergy sex crimes, a job in which he worked tirelessly to keep cases hidden and scandal from occurring. (http://www.boston.com/globe/spotlight/abuse/stories3/120402_burns.htm)
• During his time in Boston, McCormack’s m.o. was to send predators to “treatment centers” that would inevitably declare the priest fit for ministry, and then would send these priests to “restricted ministry,” but would never keep a close watch on their supervision. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/NH-Manchester/JBMcCormack-2003-01-pt3.html#sided)
• McCormack was renowned for his leniency and sympathy for predator priests, even if they had offended multiple times, and was noted for his overriding skepticism of victims. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/NH-Manchester/JBMcCormack-2002-04-pt2.html#records)
• Despite his large role in the cover-ups in Boston (some may say, “due to” his role) McCormack was elevated to the position of bishop. Even after the scandal exploded and McCormack’s role was revealed, he continued to work as a bishop, only retiring when he reached the mandatory age. (http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20110808/NEWS08/708089975)

• In 2003, Egan became the first US prelate to refuse to say mass for the devoutly Catholic, hand-picked, distinguished lay panel chosen by bishops to look at the church’s child sex abuse crisis. According to the New York Times, Egan also “interfered with” and prevented the US bishops’ ‘watchdog’ on clergy sex cases from speaking in his archdiocese
• In 2007, he let a principal of a prestigious New York Catholic high school to remain at work, despite the fact that disturbing sexual images were found on his computer. In this case, it was a priest who contacted the diocese, who then let the principal to stay on the job for five months. This only came to light after the priest came forward to the media. (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_4Z01DgSVrqFfPgaFtgORdM;jsessionid=CB7472EFBBD6E76B4B72EB7151E501A5)
• In an interview with Connecticut Magazine last year, Egan rescinded the pathetic ‘apology’ that he had made to victims of clergy abuse in 2002. He went further to say that he didn’t believe church officials had done anything wrong, that he was “proud” of the way they handled things, and that he didn’t believe that there was much that was actually hidden. (http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/Web-Exclusive-Content/February-2012/Egan-Ten-Years-After/)

• Rigali kept the names of predator priests hidden, making a list public only when he was forced to do so by pressure generated by scathing grand jury reports. (http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2011_statements/033011_rigali_wont_name_ousted_priests_snap_responds.htm)
• Rigali claimed, in a deceptive February 2011 letter, that “there were no priests in the Archdiocese with “admitted or established” abuse accusations against them. Less than a month later, he suspended 37 priests for allegations of child abuse. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/03_04/2011_03_08_RomanCatholicArchdioceseofPhiladelphia_StatementOf.htm)
• Archbishop Rigali hid many of the crimes that had were ignored or concealed by his predecessor, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. He also was a staunch defender of Bevilacqua, even though he had been implicated in multiple grand jury reports as having a lead role in the cover-ups (http://articles.philly.com/2011-07-18/news/29786966_1_predator-priests-sexual-abuse-sexual-abuse-scandal)

• In 2002, Rev. John E. Leonard (with allegations dating back to 1996) was removed after allegations of old abuse when he was at St. John Vianney Seminary; but was reactivated by Bishop Sullivan after he overruled the review committee. There was a big outcry from the committee, including one resignation.  A civil suit in 2003 was later dismissed on SOL. Criminal charges were brought in 2003 and Leonard was sentenced in 2004 to 2 consecutive 12 month jail terms (suspended) and probation. He was removed again in 2004 and then resigned from priesthood. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2004_01_14_Vegh_GoochlandPriest_John_Leonard_14.htm)

• In 2008, Sevilla hired a man – ex-seminarian Juan Jose Gonzalez – who was under police investigation on child porn charges. Sevilla set him to work at a church retreat facility in Cowiche, and later promoted him to a teaching position, placing him around children.
• During the course of hiring and Gonzalez’ employment, Sevilla never revealed to staff or parents that he was under police investigation and accused of felonies. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/03_04/2008_04_23_Gargas_ReturnTo.htm)
• Sevilla also failed to call the police when an employee, Deacon Aaron Ramirez, admitted to molesting a child. Rather than call police, Sevilla simply told Ramirez to go there of his volition. Instead, Ramirez fled the country. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/07_08/2011_07_13_SNAP_YakimaCatholic.htm)
• He was also not forthcoming with the names of several predators, and kept as many details regarding sex abuse cases out of the public eye. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/2003_10_14_Carlos_Peaceand_Dale_Calhoun_5.htm)
   

• Bishops at the California Catholic Conference oppose bill, stating it violates the Church’s first amendment rights, extending SOL is retroactive justice, and requiring background checks would cost the church too much money. (http://verdict.justia.com/2012/04/19/the-catholic-bishops-lobby-against-legislation-to-protect-children)

• Catholic Church argues against the Bill because they claim it unfairly targets the church while leaving secular institutions alone. (http://www.staycatholic.com/abuse_in_public_schools_ignored.htm)

• http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2010/04/connecticut-bishops-oppose-ending.html

• http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Roman-Catholic-Bishops-Shell-Game-with-Child-Sex-Abuse?offset=1&max=1

• Catholic officials claim SOL in place for a reason and that eliminating it opens the door for unfair trials. (http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/catholics-fight-bid-lift-statute-limitations-abuse)

• http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/new_yorks_catholic_bishops_lob/978/comments-newest.html

• Heavy lobbying from the Catholic Church removed that section of the bill. The bill would have extended the statute of limitations, which would have given victims a chance for legal recourse. OH bishops opposed legislation, claiming it was unconstitutional and did not protect children from past or future abuse. (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2005_01_06/2005_05_09_McIntosh_ChildAbuse.htm) (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/03_04/2006_03_30_CincinnatiEnquirer_VictimsOf.htm) (http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2006/07/29/Ohio-legislator-rejects-charge-of-improper-action.html)

• Bill 832 presented by state Rep. Louise Williams Bishop. Bill 879 presented by Rep. Mike McGeehan. Church officials claim change in SOL represents a money-grab and an anti-Catholic bias. (http://www.adkanenough.com/catholic-church-fights-to-kill-pas-statute-of-limitation-reform.html)

• Catholic Church is against the Bill, stating it is aimed against the church as an institution and that it will force them to declare bankruptcy and close schools. (http://www.ehow.com/info_7929155_wisconsins-claims-against-public-schools.html)