A class action lawsuit was filed in Pittsburgh over an alleged Catholic sex abuse cover up investigated and reported on recently by the Pennsylvania grand jury. The lawsuit is being filed by alleged victims of various priests of the Roman Catholic Church, who claim that a massive Catholic sex abuse cover up—involving countless more members of the Church, often very high up—was used to silence victims.

The Catholic Sex Abuse Cover Up

The grand jury report investigated decades’ worth of sex abuse allegations in the Catholic Church all across Pennsylvania. Ultimately, it found evidence that more than 1,000 children had been raped or sexually abused by approximately 300 Catholic priests all across the state. The report covers not just the abuse itself, but also what it refers to as a “systematic cover-up” of that abuse by all levels of Church leaders—from the state of Pennsylvania all the way to Vatican City.

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the Catholic sex abuse cover up in Pennsylvania, and is planning to force the Church to turn over its records, as well as testimony and more.

Pittsburgh Class Action Takes Different Approach

While most lawsuits filed since the Pennsylvania grand jury report have sought damages for the harm caused, this new Pittsburgh  lawsuit simply pursues injunctive relief: for the Church to openly admit to the Catholic sex abuse cover up in place for years, as well as release its records over this period.

The lawsuit was filed against each of the eight Roman Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Ryan O. suffered sexual abuse by clergy members between ages 10 and 12. Another child, who is in kindergarten now, has not been abused, but his guardian believes this child to also be at risk of becoming a target of one of the priests. The name of this priest, as well as many others involved, have not been identified to the public.

“The Church’s long-standing failure to release evidence that would validate a survivor’s accusation of child sexual abuse by a Catholic priest is undeniably retributive,” the lawsuit argues. “It pits survivors against the denials of extremely formidable authority figures, and leads to years of emotional and psychological harm.”

“If, however, the facts are made public,” the lawsuit continues, “it protects survivors and self-blame that arises when memories of sexual abuse are discounted by eminent perpetrators. Better yet, it insures victims get the right proper psychotherapeutic treatment.”

The lawsuit is aimed at forcing Pennsylvania dioceses to release significant records that would help to provide a full account of the reported Church abuse, the abusers, and the cover up.  Other states’ district attorneys and parishioners are following up on their respective state’s church sex abuse accusations.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of the Catholic sex abuse cover up, you may be able to file a lawsuit or join a class action lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by sexual abuse, it can help to provide some monetary compensation, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and inaction.