A list of priests accused of abuse in Los Angeles, maintained by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, reportedly totals 323 clergy members.

In a 2018 story about Catholic Church abuse, The Los Angeles Times reported that the Archdiocese added 54 priests to a list compiled in earlier years, of clergy members accused of sexually abusing minors. According to the report, the list began with 14 names provided by the Diocese of Orange in 2016 — however, advocates put together a much larger list, ultimately adding hundreds more clergy members. The advocates are attempting to hold accountable officials involved in the Catholic sex abuse scandal.

“We implore the diocese to do better and to do more, because the survivors deserve more and deserve better,” an attorney whose firm provided additional names to the list of priests accused of abuse in Los Angeles told Times reporters.

For its part, the Diocese of Orange responded that it takes seriously claims of child sexual abuse by priests and noted that it has removed 14 accused priests from the ministry.

“Files are being examined and as appropriate the diocese will update the list as warranted,” reads a statement from the diocese.

The Los Angeles Archdiocese includes Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, per local news source KTLA 5. Many of the reported incidents of child sexual abuse by priests occurred decades ago, as far back as the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, many of the named priests are dead or have moved out of the area.

Three priests on the list were accused of abuse in the past decade, Patch.com reports. Two were reportedly removed from the ministry and the third left the country. Two of the priests were also reported to law enforcement.

The names added to the list of priests accused of abuse in Los Angeles is an effort by the Archdiocese to be more transparent, according to Patch.com. The additional names are priests who have since died, as well as “plausible” accusations, which include reports that could not be investigated.

The current list can be found on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’s website.

“The Archdiocese and our faith community stand resolute in our commitment to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement, support victim-survivors and protect children and the vulnerable,” the website says.

Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with Survivors

The Los Angeles Archdiocese reportedly agreed to pay around $660 million to settle claims with 508 survivors of child sex abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy back in 2007. As of May 2019, the Archdiocese has reportedly paid a record $740 million in various settlement agreements to sexual abuse victims through the years.

“To every one of you who has suffered abuse by the hand of a priest, I am truly sorry. Nothing can undo the violence done to you or restore the innocence or trust that was taken from you,” Archbishop Jose Gomez said when the L.A. Archdiocese’s list was updated with 54 new names in 2018. “I am humbled by your courage and ashamed at how the church has let you down.”

A compensation fund for survivors of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy was supported by all six of California’s dioceses. The deadline to file a claim was March 31, 2020, however, some survivors have turned to the legal system to hold the Catholic Church accountable as well.

The California Child Victims Act extended the statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims to allow survivors up to the age of 40 to file a lawsuit. In addition, the state is allowing a look-back period for all Catholic sex abuse survivors to file a claim against their abusers, as well as the institutions that may have failed to protect them as children.

California is one of a number of states that have recently made changes to their sexual abuse laws or have added look-back windows for victims.

Some state look-back windows, such as New York’s, are already closed, but California’s window is open for almost another year. California’s look-back window began in Jan. 2020, and allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to pursue litigation over past abuse, even if it took place years or decades ago and would otherwise fall outside the statute of limitations. California’s look-back window is for three years, and is set to close on Dec. 31, 2022.

If you or someone you love has suffered from child sexual abuse within the Catholic church in California, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.