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  Church Abuse Report

WTNH TV [New Haven CT]
February 27, 2004

There's a new and disturbing report on sex abuse in the catholic church. The study is being released by a watch dog group formed by U.S. Bishops. The group is trying to get to the bottom of scandal that has plagued the church nationwide. Watch the story

The report is out and is already being blasted by victim advocates for under reporting the number of cases of priest abuse.

Steve Krueger is from Voice of the Faithful, " The Diocese and the order simply did not screen candidates for the priesthood properly. As a result we found that many dysfunctional and psycho-sexually immature men were admitted in seminaries and orders ordained into the priesthood."

"We won't turn a corner until the are problems acknowledged and leaders are held responsible. It is not a question of forgiveness it is question of accountable."

Critics say the study under reports abuse because many victims are too frightened to come forward according to the report, there have been nearly 11-thousand complaints involving sexual abuse by priests since 1950.

Church appointed researchers found nearly 40-percent of american catholic priests, almost 44-hundred have been accused of child abuse between the years 1950 and 2000. And that the church has spent more than 500 million dollars on lawyers fees, settlements, and therapy for both priest and their victims.

The report says bishops were sometimes ill served by therapists and lawyers they sought out for guidence.

 
 

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