DES MOINES – Nine names of priests accused of sexual abuse while serving in the Des Moines Diocese were released on Thursday during a press conference in downtown Des Moines.
According to a letter from Bishop Richard Pates, all but two names on the list have already been shared publicly. The incidents of abuse occurred from the 1950s to the 1990s.
“…I apologize for the pain experienced by those abused by our priests, as well as the pain this has caused to all the faithful and those in our broader society. I share the anger and frustration of recent reports of clerical abuse of minors and young people,” said Pates.
Bishop Pates said that the Diocese of Des Moines has to do more, and is moving forward to make progress.
“Once a substantiated allegation is established any further abuse within the context of the Church is precluded,” said Bishop Pates in the letter. “In the Diocese of Des Moines, there has not arisen a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse against a minor by a cleric actually happening in real time since 1997.”
A list of the names of the priests can be seen here.