Two lawsuits have been filed against Missouri dioceses accusing them of covering up sexual abuse within the church. The lawsuits, filed by childhood sexual abuse survivors, allege that the dioceses of Jefferson City and Kansas City-St. Joseph failed to protect children from predatory priests.
The plaintiffs claim that the dioceses knew about the abuse and actively worked to cover it up, protecting the perpetrators instead of the victims. They accuse church officials of engaging in a “shameless cover-up” of the abuse, allowing it to continue for decades.
Lawyers representing the survivors are seeking justice and accountability for the harm caused by the abuse. They argue that the dioceses cannot simply pay lip service to the issue of sexual abuse within the church but must take concrete actions to protect children and hold abusers accountable.
The lawsuits come amid a growing reckoning within the Catholic Church over its handling of sexual abuse cases. Many survivors have come forward in recent years to share their stories and demand justice, prompting a wave of lawsuits and investigations.
In response to the lawsuits, a spokesperson for the dioceses of Jefferson City and Kansas City-St. Joseph stated that they take all allegations of sexual abuse seriously and have policies in place to address such cases. They also emphasized their commitment to protecting children and ensuring a safe environment within the church.
The lawsuits highlight the ongoing struggle within the Catholic Church to address the issue of sexual abuse and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Survivors of abuse continue to push for justice and transparency, seeking to hold those responsible for the harm they have suffered.
Source
Photo credit news.google.com