The sexual abuse scandal in Davenport diocese is one of a number 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.

Allegations against Bishop Soens

The decision was driven by many claims which focused on Bishop Lawrence Soens, who was accused of fondling as many as 15 students during his tenure as priest and principal at Regina Catholic High School in Iowa City during the 1960s. Soens denies the allegations.

Diocesan investigation

In February 2006, the

Diocese of Davenport The Diocese of Davenport ( la, Diœcesis Davenportensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Roman Catholicism in the United States, Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the United States, U.S. state of Iowa ...

investigative panel found behavior that may have been inappropriate, but it did not appear to be sexual in nature.

Legal settlements

One claim was settled for $20K in 2004. Two more suits were pending in May 2006. Seven more suits were filed in May 2006. One new suit with 13 plaintiffs was filed in August 2006 alleging abuse from 1959 to 1967. A judge discharged one suit in October 2006. Recently, Bishop Soens was the first United States Roman Catholic Bishop to be named as being the object of 'credible' sexual abuse charges.

Filing for bankruptcy

On October 10, 2006, the

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.Iowa Diocese Files For Bankruptcy , Davenport Bishop Says Settlements For 24+ Sex Abuse Claims Left It No Choice - CBS News
/ref> By November 27, 2007, $37 million had been allocated to 156 persons.

Recovery under Bishop Amos

Since taking office, Bishop Martin John Amos has had to deal with the fallout from the sexual abuse scandal that had engulfed the Church. Two days before he assumed office, the Diocese of Davenport filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy protection.

Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People 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 ...

Child abuse Child abuse (also called child endangerment or child maltreatment) is physical, sexual, and/or psychological maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent or a caregiver. Child abuse may include any act or failure to a ...

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 The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors ( it, Pontificia Commissione per la Tutela dei Minori) is a pontifical commission within the Roman Curia of the Catholic Church instituted by Pope Francis on 22 March 2014 as an advisory age ...

Religious 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 ...

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 BishopsNational Review Board, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic BishopsSafe Environment, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic BishopsVictim Assistance, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davenport Incidents of violence against boys Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals in the United States