Scores of accused pedophile priests were named by the Archdiocese of Boston, which launched a website Thursday that discloses the identities of the clergy.
“My deepest hope and prayer is that the efforts I am announcing … will provide some additional comfort and healing for those who have suffered from sexual abuse by clergy and will continue to strengthen our efforts to protect God’s children,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley said in a statement.
However, abuse victim advocacy groups said the list was “years overdue.”
“With this disclosure, children are safer today than they were yesterday. … But we also are dismayed by the number of accused predators the Cardinal has chosen not to name. His list is partial and gravely incomplete,” said BishopAccountability.org in a statement.
Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability, said the group was working on an analysis of the names released, but that it appeared no new names were released.
“O’Malley chose the safe course today,” the statement said.
The Archdiocese’s list of 159 priests represents the first time that names of accused clerics have been compiled by the Archdiocese in a central location.
The identifications are divided into various categories that include the names of clergy who have been found guilty either by the church or law enforcement of sexually abusing a child and even former and deceased clergy who have been publicly accused.
A list of clergy who have been accused but the allegations have been unsubstantiated was also published.
