Sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

Bishop Michael Angelo Saltarelli released the names of 20 diocesan priests accused of sexual abuse,[1] and once said, "I condemn what's been done to victims with all my heart."[2]

Altogether, more than 130 lawsuits have been filed against the diocese or Catholic religious orders in Delaware. [3]

A Superior Court jury ruled the operators of Salesianum School -- the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales -- were liable under the Delaware Child Victim's Act of 2007, but their actions were not the proximate cause of the harm to James Sheehan.[4]

In October 2009, bishop William Francis Malooly sought Chapter 11 protection for his diocese after obtaining financial settlements with victims of local child abusing priests.[5]

The diocese said it is obligated to keep paying retirement benefits to six priests who church officials have confirmed are pedophiles.[6] Similar controversial payments were reportedly given in Ireland to abusive priests in that country.[7]

In a November 2009 statement, the diocese asserted that an independent audit showed it was in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [8]

• Abuse
• Child abuse
• Child sexual abuse
• Religious abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual misconduct
• Spiritual abuse