Northern KY diocese says nearly 60 priests sexually abused children since 1950s

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priest-abuse-logo-08-03

The Diocese of Covington has released a report on sexual abuse that found 59 Catholic priests and 31 others associated with the church have sexually abused children since the 1950s.

The report was released Friday on the diocese website along with a list naming the accused, The Kentucky Enquirer reported.

“There are no words to adequately express the sorrow and shame I feel,” Bishop Roger Foys wrote in an apology released with the report. “I can never apologize enough to those who have been harmed by any representative of the church. I beg your forgiveness in the name of the church.”

In 2006, the Diocese of Covington paid more than $81 million to sexual abuse victims in a court settlement.

The diocese said the report was compiled by two former FBI agents who reviewed thousands of records dating back to 1950.

Of the accused priests, all but 14 are deceased.

Foys said the diocese has policies and practices in place that will prevent future abuse. To the best of his knowledge, he said, “there is no priest in public ministry in the Diocese of Covington who has abused a minor.”

The Associated Press