Bishop Peter Jugis announces release of list of credibly accused clergy
CHARLOTTE — A comprehensive accounting of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse will “promote healing for the survivors of sexual abuse and healing for their families – and also healing for the whole Church,” Bishop Peter Jugis said in announcing the results of an independent review of the Diocese of Charlotte’s historical files.
The comprehensive review, which took nearly a year, resulted in a list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse in the diocese since it was established in 1972. Independent investigators examined more than 1,600 personnel and other records dating back nearly 50 years, totaling 150,000 pages.
The list of credibly accused clergy and more information is posted online at accountability.charlottediocese.org.
“There is no clergy member serving in ministry in our diocese today who has a credible allegation of sexual abuse against him,” Bishop Jugis emphasized.
The file review also showed that all those named on the list were long ago removed from ministry or died before allegations arose, and most were made known years ago by the diocese and others.
It also demonstrated that the diocese’s strict protocols on reporting and preventing abuse that have been in place for nearly 20 years have been working, Bishop Jugis said.
During a Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral Dec. 29 – the Feast of the Holy Family – Bishop Jugis said the child sexual abuse scandal “has seriously wounded the family of the Church and profoundly damaged those who have been victimized by the sins of others.”
“It is clear to me that making known the names of abusers can promote healing for the survivors of sexual abuse and healing for their families – and also healing for the whole Church,” he said in his homily message. “I take this opportunity, as we are about to make known the results of our study, to apologize to survivors of sexual abuse who as minors were victimized by some members of clergy, and I promise my continued prayers for you.”
In his homily, Bishop Jugis drew a parallel between the role St. Joseph played in protecting Mary and the Infant Jesus and the responsibility the Church has in protecting its people. The Church is a family, he said, and like an individual family, the Church should support and nurture people, teaching them to love God and one another.
St. Joseph is a perfect example of how the Church should lead its family, he continued, reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading of Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23.
St. Joseph listens to God and immediately puts His directives into action, he said. “St. Joseph is serving God and serving his family, by providing for their well-being, by protecting them from danger. He is a beautiful model for each one of us of family holiness.”
Each member of the family is called to be holy, he said, “to serve God and to serve each other with care and devotion.”
‘There is no clergy member serving in ministry in our diocese today who has a credible allegation of sexual abuse against him.’
The diocese’s historical file review is in line with Pope Francis’ call to holiness in response to the crime and sin of child sexual abuse, Bishop Jugis said, “to participate in healing the Church family by praying and working for the purification of the Church from this evil.”
He pledged to continue the diocese’s commitment to the U.S. bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Charter mandates a zero-tolerance policy, strict screening and training standards, and protocols for preventing abuse in all U.S. Catholic churches, schools, ministries and programs.
Since the Charter took effect in 2002, more than 53,000 Church workers and volunteers in the diocese have been trained in abuse prevention and awareness, and over 60,000 background checks have been conducted.
Bishop Jugis concluded his homily by praying that the Holy Family would “bless the family of the Church at this time with the gift of healing, as we all seek to serve God and to serve each other in holiness.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
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A Letter to the People of God of Western North Carolina
Charlotte diocese publishes list of 14 clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse
New hotline for reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct launched
More information online
Read more about the Diocese of Charlotte’s accountability report online at accountability.charlottediocese.org.
Read the full press release.