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An investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel uncovered new details about clergy abuse in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. According to the report, over 80 clergy members, including priests and deacons, who have been accused of sexual abuse, have never appeared on the Archdiocese’s official list of credibly accused clergy. The investigation sparked renewed outrage and calls for accountability, transparency, and justice for survivors of abuse.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Investigation
These omissions suggest that either the archdiocese has failed to disclose the full extent of the abuse or that certain cases were intentionally kept out of the public eye.
The report reveals that the Archdiocese may have excluded these names due to legal settlements, confidentiality agreements, or the potential damage to the Church’s reputation. Additionally, several of these clergy members were part of religious orders. Accusations dating back decades. While some of these individuals have been removed from ministry or have passed away, the fact that their names were not on the public list raises serious questions about the transparency of the Church’s handling of abuse cases.
The Milwaukee Archdiocese had previously released a list of credibly accused clergy in 2019, but this new investigation casts doubt on the completeness and accuracy of that list. It also suggests that survivors of clergy abuse may still be waiting for full recognition and accountability for the harm they endured.
Comparing the Milwaukee Investigation to the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
Milwaukee echos findings from the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, which exposed a sprawling network of clergy abuse spanning over seven decades. That report detailed the abuse of more than 1,000 children by over 300 predator priests within the six dioceses of Pennsylvania. Additionally, it highlighted systemic cover-ups by Church officials who worked to protect the perpetrators rather than the victims. The Pennsylvania report became ground zero for clergy child sexual abuse cases. As a result prompting many states to begin investigations into clergy abuse.
One of the key takeaways from the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report was the Church’s tendency to downplay or outright ignore allegations of abuse. Thus hiding the names of accused clergy members from the public. Many dioceses failed to release lists of credibly accused priests, and when lists were released, they were often incomplete or misleading. Like the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the dioceses in Pennsylvania had long maintained secrecy around the true extent of clergy abuse. Thus shielding perpetrators and minimizing the impact on victims.
A Path Forward for the Milwaukee Archdiocese and the Catholic Church
Andreozzi & Foote built a strong reputation for representing survivors in high-profile cases against the Catholic Church and other religious institutions. The firm has successfully secured significant settlements and judgments for clergy abuse victims, helping them obtain justice and compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm they have suffered. Through their tireless efforts, Andreozzi & Foote’s sexual abuse attorneys played a crucial role in holding powerful institutions accountable. Thus, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, and providing a voice for those who have endured long-lasting trauma. Our work has also helped bring to light systemic issues within religious organizations, encouraging broader reforms to prevent future abuse.
While the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report helped shine a light on systemic issues, the Milwaukee investigation illustrates that these problems persist in dioceses across the country. The lessons from Pennsylvania:
- transparency,
- accountability,
- support for survivors,
- and legislative action
This must guide the response to the ongoing crisis of clergy abuse.
For true healing to occur:
- the Church must take responsibility for the harm caused by its clergy,
- fully disclose all relevant information,
- and support survivors in their quest for justice.
Only then can the Church hope to rebuild the trust it has lost.
Andreozzi + Foote can help survivors with trauma-informed sexual abuse attorneys. Our sexual abuse lawyers have help the church accountability for years. 1-866-754-5458
