If you were sexually abused as a child by a priest, deacon or any other member of the Catholic Church, you are not alone. We are here to help you. Please fill out our confidential online contact form or call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 and a Tennessee Sexual Abuse Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your possible case. Help is available nationwide. There is no cost to investigate and there are no legal fees unless you receive financial compensation. Making the call is sometimes the hardest step, but it is often a necessary step on the road to healing. Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Tennessee
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Please call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill out our confidential contact form and a lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your case. Tennessee Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer
For Catholics, what to do when a local member of the clergy is revealed as an abuser can pose a thorny problem. One such incident occurred recently in the archdiocese of Washington, in the District of Columbia. There, Archbishop Theodore McCarrick was the subject of a report alleging that he molested a teenage altar boy over 45 years ago. Church officials looked into the report and were able to substantiate it. One month later, he handed in his resignation, which was accepted by the Pope. But some members were still gravely disappointed with how the church had handled the situation.
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McCarrick was promoted to archbishop beginning in 2001, and during that time his predatory tendencies were not unknown to other officials. Multiple reports starting in 1994 had detailed sexual offenses committed by him; the reports had made their way up the church hierarchy, all the way to Pope Benedict XVI.
Two of McCarrick’s past dioceses had also paid settlements equaling tens of thousands of dollars to two men who accused him of sexually assaulting them. The assaults took place in the mid-2000s but had been kept secret until the church investigation brought them to light.
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In a statement, the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops asked a key question: “Why wasn’t this egregious situation addressed decades sooner and with justice?”
With the clear fact that other church officials helped hid the abuse, many parishioners are unwilling to continue taking part in church as if nothing has happened. A Washington Times article included quotes from Catholics who are withholding donations from their parish because a proportion goes to the archdiocese. They intend the boycott to continue until McCarrick’s enablers are removed from power.
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One woman was quoted as saying “I don’t want any of my dollars, or nickels or dimes, being used by the archdiocese, particularly the Archdiocese of Washington, to settle claims or to get criminals off the hook.”
Justice has moved very slowly in removing predator priests from the ministry, and many, like McCarrick, have never been prosecuted for their crimes. Even when one malefactor steps down, their enablers often remain. Catholic Church members have an opportunity to send a message to church leadership by withholding donations and giving to other charitable organizations instead.
Many parishioners recognize that it is unacceptable for 45 years to pass between an act of sexual abuse and the perpetrator being removed from a position of power. With ongoing revelations like this one, hopefully the pace of justice will gather momentum.
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