The sexual abuse scandal in San Diego diocese is a significant episode in the series of
Catholic sex abuse cases
There have been many cases of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests, nuns, Popes and other members of religious life. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the cases have involved many allegations, investigations, trials, convictions, a ...
in the United States and Ireland.
Abuse cases occurring before 1990
Diocesan officials acknowledged that these cases, except for a few, were legitimate and mostly occurred before 1990. The few that were not considered legitimate were placed in the global settlement and, due to the settlement, will not be challenged.
Attempt to file for bankruptcy
On February 27, 2007, the
Diocese of San Diego filed for
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Such reorganization, known as Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is available to every business, wheth ...
protection, hours before the first of about 150 lawsuits was due to be heard. San Diego became the largest diocese to file for bankruptcy.
198 million dollar settlement
On September 7, 2007, The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego agreed to pay $198.1 million to
settle 144 claims of
sexual abuse
Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. Molestation often refers to an instance of sexual assa ...
by
clergy
Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...
, the 2nd-largest payment by a
diocese
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associa ...
, terminating four years of settlement talks in state and
federal courts.
Allegations against the bishop
Robert Brom was accused of coercing a student into a sexual relationship at a seminary in Minnesota, where he once was rector and later headed the Diocese of Duluth. The alleged victim reportedly claimed that the incident of abuse occurred "in a coffin along with other bishops". Due to the "unusual" allegation, no criminal charges were brought at the time and, according to Brom, the settlement was made to offer psychological assistance for the alleged victim.
Bishop Robert Brom
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See also
* Abuse
* Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
* Child abuse
*Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse (CSA), also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whet ...
*Essential Norms
There have been many lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, and scandals over sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy in the United States of America.
The issue of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests was first publicized in 1985 when a Louisia ...
*National Review Board
The National Review Board (full name: National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People) is a committee created in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in order to monitor the implementation of the Charter fo ...
* Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
* Religious abuse
*Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. Molestation often refers to an instance of sexual assa ...
*Sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct is misconduct of a sexual nature which exists on a spectrum that may include a broad range of sexual behaviors considered unwelcome. This includes conduct considered inappropriate on an individual or societal basis of morality, se ...
*Spiritual abuse
Religious abuse is abuse administered under the guise of religion, including harassment or humiliation, which may result in psychological trauma. Religious abuse may also include misuse of religion for selfish, secular, or ideological ends such as ...
References
External links
Audits, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic BishopsCharter For The Protection Of Children And Young People; US Conference of Catholic BishopsChild And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
* ttp://www.usccb.org/about/child-and-youth-protection/the-national-review-board.cfm National Review Board, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishopsbr>Safe Environment, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Victim Assistance, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
{{Authority control
Incidents of violence against boys
History of San Diego
San Diego
San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United State ...
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego