SAN BERNARDINO – (INT) – In a move toward transparency, the San Bernardino Catholic Diocese has issued a list of 34 priests ‘credibly accused’ of child sexual abuse.

Fourteen are deceased, fourteen have been banned from ministry in the diocese, five have been removed from the priesthood and the wherabouts of another is unknown.

Twenty-four were reported to police. Two were sentenced by the Vatican to prayer and penance.

Many of the incidents of abuse occurred outside the diocese and in other states dating as far back as the 1960s.

In a videotaped apology, Bishop Gerald Barnes said the decision to release the list was his. “Apologies, at this point, can seem hollow and I regret that because I can imagine how painful this has been in the lives of many victims. Still, I do want to state my sincere apology.”

“We will always bear the mask of this scandal. We will continue in our commitment to protect both children and adults from abuse,” Bishop Barnes said.

The full list can be viewed at https://www.sbdiocese.org/documents/latestnews/Priest-List.pdf

Story Date: October 16, 2018