Child sexual abuse is prevalent and has been happening for decades in the Roman Catholic Church dioceses around the globe. Unfortunately, many dioceses cover up the abuse to protect the Church’s reputation, thereby allowing the heinous crimes to continue without consequences, putting innocent children at risk.
In November 2018, the Diocese of Shreveport released a statement regarding sexual abuse allegations associated with the Diocese of Alexandria. This particular diocese used to include the territory that the Diocese of Shreveport now covers. As of November 2018, there hadn’t been an allegation of child sexual abuse by a clergy member since the creation of the Diocese of Shreveport in June 1986.
However, in July 2020, a child survivor stepped forward, filing a lawsuit against the Diocese of Shreveport, accusing one late priest and a person who lived with him in the rectory on the Church campus of sexual assault. These allegations date back to before the Diocese of Shreveport started, but the Church that the priest served in now falls under its territory.
When the Diocese of Alexandria released the names of priests accused of sexual abuse of minors, the Diocese of Shreveport also published the list and asked anyone in its new jurisdiction to come forward with their allegations if they suffered sexual abuse by any clergy on the list.
In May 2021, an associate priest at a church in the Diocese of Shreveport found himself removed from the ministry after allegations surfaced against him asserting child sexual abuse accusations and his violation of the Diocese of Shreveport’s Policy Concerning Sexual Abuse of Minors. The Diocese of Shreveport released a statement concerning the allegations against the priest, explaining that his conduct didn’t involve physical contact with minors, but his actions still constituted a serious violation of the law.
Given the Diocese of Shreveport’s quick response to the associate priest’s allegations and its transparency with the priests credibly accused in the Diocese of Alexandria, it’s clear that the institution is doing everything to promote a safe environment for children and teens. The Diocese must protect the minors entrusted to its care and ensure that victims have the opportunity to speak with Church leaders to tell their story and heal.
The Diocese of Shreveport includes a page on its website about its Safe Environment Compliance and its obedience to the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002. The Diocese also includes its own policy concerning sexual abuse of minors and devotes a page of instructions and information on reporting abuse by clergy members.
In addition to the Diocese’s individual efforts to call attention to and combat child sexual abuse, new Louisiana legislation will go into effect on August 1, 2021, changing the deadline to file child sex abuse claims in civil court. The new law deviates from the current deadline of the victim’s 28th birthday to allow a three-year window for survivors to file any unresolved child sex abuse claims in civil court, no matter how old the victim is at present or when the abuse occurred.
With the creation of the Diocese of Shreveport only 35 years ago, a heavy overlap of priests who served in both dioceses or who served in the Diocese of Alexandria but would now fall into the new Diocese’s territory can make filing your civil suit complicated. A sexual abuse attorney can help make the process seamless so that you can take full advantage of the new legislation happening soon. We know it can be challenging to take that next step, dredging up old, painful memories, but you deserve long-overdue justice, and compensation can help aid in your continued recovery.
Contacting a child sexual abuse attorney is the first step in the right direction to hold your abuser accountable for their actions. Also, doing so can help you move forward with the closure you need and ensure that other children can avoid similar harm. Contact the compassionate and determined lawyers at Herman Law today to learn about your legal rights and how our team can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
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- Monsignor Robert Friend
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