Protect and Heal: The Archdiocese of Seattle responds to the tragedy of abuse.
A message from Archbishop Paul D. Etienne
I'm here today to assure all of our people of my ongoing commitment to make sure that these crimes and these sins no longer occur within the church.
LIST OF CREDIBLY ACCUSED
As part of our commitment to transparency, in January of 2016 the Archdiocese of Seattle released the following list of clergy and religious brothers and sisters for whom allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have been admitted, established or determined to be credible.
Victim Assistance Helpline
To report any suspicion of abuse by any church personnel, please contact local law enforcement. In addition, anyone who has knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call the archdiocesan helpline below. The Archdiocese of Seattle has a longstanding commitment to transparency, accountability, and assistance to persons sexually abused by clergy or by anyone working on behalf of the church.
COMMITMENT TO ACTION
REPORTED ABUSE AND THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE
The graphs below show incidents of reported abuse by clergy and religious brothers and sisters who served in the Archdiocese of Seattle that resulted in a claim, as well as some of the Church's efforts to address and prevent abuse.
The graph shows when abuse occurred, not when it was reported. If a victim survivor alleged that abuse occurred during multiple years, all years are included in the graph. The vast majority of these incidents of abuse were reported decades after they occurred.
In the Archdiocese of Seattle, incidents of reported abuse resulting in a claim peaked in 1975 and have since declined sharply, with only one such case in the past two decades.
Timeline of Reported Incidents of Abuse
Timeline of Action
Settlement Payout Amounts
Total Number of Settlements
Prior to 2006, the Archdiocese of Seattle settled approximately 204 claims for approximately $20M. Since 2006, the Archdiocese of Seattle settled approximately 267 claims for approximately $99M.
ARCHDIOCESAN REVIEW BOARD
Started in 1986, the Archdiocesan Review Board operates as an independent, confidential consultative body that advises the archbishop on issues related to sexual abuse of minors by clergy and assists him in assessing allegations and fitness for ministry.
LUCY BERLINER
MSW
Former Director, Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress. Served in various capacities on previous archdiocesan committees and review boards.
Joan Cole Duffell
Former Executive Director, Committee for Children, an international nonprofit organization that conducts research and develops programs for the prevention of child abuse, youth violence and bullying.
Jesse O. Franklin IV
Member, Schlemlein Fick & Scruggs, PLLC. Legal practice focused on consulting and litigation of design and construction, and real estate matters. Former King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Criminal Division, Special Assault Unit. Member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Seattle.
Mary Ellen Stone
MS
Former CEO, of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC), the largest sexual assault victim's service organization in Washington, providing treatment, education and advocacy toward the elimination of sexual assault.
Susan M. Roe
Former Federal Prosecutor, Western District of Washington, and King County Deputy Prosecutor, Special Assault Unit. Member of Christ Our Hope Parish in Seattle.
Father Gary Zender
Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of St. Louise Parish in Bellevue.
Jennifer Wheeler, Ph.D.
Licensed clinical and forensic psychologist with a full-time private practice in Seattle which includes civil and criminal forensic evaluations, therapy, consultation, and professional training. Also provides professional consultation and training services on topics such as violence/abuse, parenting/divorce, sexual behavior, ethics/professional roles, and cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Caitlin Moulding
Archdiocesan Chief Operations Officer
Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church
The following was shared at the Prayer of Repentance and Healing service led by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain at St. James Cathedral on October 4, 2018.
Mary, Mother of the Church, we stand before you shaken by the scandal and division in the Church that we love. We pray for victims of abuse, whose trust was betrayed and whose innocence was shattered by members of the clergy. We pray for those whose suffering was ignored and for those who were silenced or disbelieved.
We pray for Church leaders, that by putting the needs of the vulnerable first, by acting with transparency, and by always holding themselves accountable to God and to the People of God they may regain the trust that has been broken.
We pray for ourselves, that the darkness and confusion we feel may give way to light. May we find the way to justice, unity, healing, and hope, through your Son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us. Mary, comfort of the troubled, pray for us. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Abuse Helpline: 800-446-7762
© 2024 Archdiocese of Seattle