Prosecutor Reveals List of 21 Accused Priests
A prosecutor took the unusual step of releasing the names of Roman Catholic priests whom church officials say were accused of sexually abusing children but have not been charged by authorities.
Bristol County Dist. Atty. Paul Walsh gave out the list of 20 names as he announced the indictment of a priest for allegedly molesting a girl from 1965 to 1971.
Civil rights advocates criticized Walsh for encouraging a “witch hunt.” Walsh acknowledged his decision goes against standard prosecutorial policy and appeared to be the first move of its kind by a prosecutor.
The Fall River diocese turned over a total of 21 names, including the priest charged Thursday and two priests who are now deceased.
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