American Catholic priests apparently sexually assaulted hundreds of children

The perpetrators have repeatedly and horribly abused the most vulnerable members of their communities while the archdiocese’s leadership turns a blind eye, the Maryland Attorney’s Office said in an investigative report released Wednesday (local time).

“The undeniable story revealed by this investigation is one of pervasive and ongoing abuse by priests and other archdiocese officials,” it said. The investigation also shows that the archdiocese tried to cover up the abuse.

The prosecutor wrote that it was more important for those responsible to avoid scandal and bad press than to protect the children. The report lists 156 perpetrators, most of them by name. The actual number of victims is believed to be much higher than the more than 600 known children.

The investigation is based on hundreds of thousands of documents dating back decades, as well as testimonies from hundreds of victims and witnesses, the report said. The perpetrators often chose children who were particularly isolated or vulnerable because of their personality or living conditions. They would then have presented themselves to you as friends and protectors.

The victims were often children who were particularly closely associated with the church, such as altar boys or choir members. (sda/dpa)