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DALLAS (AP) – The 15 Catholic Dioceses of Texas will publish early next year the names of clergy who have been "credibly accused" of sexually abusing a minor, said the diocese of Dallas in a statement Wednesday. The Texas Bishops release names lists by Jan. 31 as part of their effort "to protect children from sexual abuse" while promoting "healing and rebuilding trust" in the church, Bishop's statement, Edward Burns, said the investigation constituted a "major project" as it will include the 1,320 Catholic parishes in Texas. "My brother bishops and I hope this action will be able to constitute a step leading to the healing of all those who have been injured by members of the Church, "Burns said in a statement. . "I add my heartfelt sorrow to the suffering caused to the victims and the faithful Catholics."
A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Dallas did not return a message Wednesday asking for an explanation on what will constitute a credible accusation against a current or former priest.
Wednesday's announcement came a day after Burns announced to his parishioners that his diocese had hired a team of former federal and federal law enforcement officers to review the personnel records of 220 priests currently serving in the diocese. An investigation will consider any charges against a priest, not just the charges of sexual abuse of minors. The survey could be expanded to include those who have previously served.
"Opening our files to outside investigators and publishing the names is something I have been considering for some time," Burns said in his statement Wednesday. "Since I think it's the right thing to do, the Diocese of Dallas has set up external investigators, a team made up of former FBI members, state soldiers and D & O's. Other law enforcement experts, reviewing our records since February, and they still have work to do. "
The investigation comes after Burns revealed in August that a former pastor, Edmundo Paredes, had been charged with mistreating three boys more than ten years ago. Paredes, who is also accused of stealing church funds, has had no news since March and the Dallas Morning News reported that he may have fled to the Philippines , his native country.
This week 's events also follow accusations made last week by a third person alleging that a Houston – area Catholic priest, Manuel La Rosa – Lopez, had touched him sexually while he was "in the dark. he was a teenager. This investigation involved Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, who led the US Church's response to sexual abuse.
DiNardo is already accused by two other people of not taking into account their reports against La Rosa-Lopez, pastor of St. John Fisher Catholic Church, in the Houston suburb of Richmond . Rosa-Lopez was arrested in September and charged with four counts of indecency with a child.
The decision made this week by the 15 dioceses of Texas is consistent with efforts in other states, such as California and Ohio.
But the actions of the Dallas diocese of employing a team of former court officers to investigate his priests seem to be different from others. For example, a Roman Catholic diocese in Connecticut announced last week the appointment of a retired state judge to investigate child sexual abuse by priests.
Recent events follow Pope Francis' dismissal of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick in July for allegedly testing a teenage altar in the 1970s, and the publication in August of a lengthy report by the grand jury of Pennsylvania, which listed the names of more than 300 priests and described the details of allegations of sexual abuse.
The investigation launched in Texas also differs from other states, such as Maryland, where the Attorney General of that state examines the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Michael Norris, who heads the survivors' group abused by priests of the Survivors Network in Houston, congratulated Texas Church leaders for acting, but called for the Texas Attorney General's involvement .
"What I miss is trust," Norris said. "When I hear about hiring a team of investigators, I prefer that it be totally independent."
A spokeswoman for the Texas Attorney General's office said the agency would only act if a prosecutor asked him to do so.
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