Missouri Atty. Gen. Eric Schmitt referred 12 former priests for potential criminal prosecution but stopped short of recommending charges against any top church leaders, despite concluding that the Roman Catholic Church was involved in 'long, sustained and far-reaching cover-up.'
Missouri Atty. Gen. Eric Schmitt on Friday referred 12 former priests for potential criminal prosecution but stopped short of recommending charges against any top church leaders, despite concluding that the Roman Catholic Church was involved in a “long, sustained and far-reaching cover-up.”
The Missouri investigation began in August 2018 under then-Atty. Gen. Josh Hawley. Hawley was elected to the U.S. Senate in November, and Schmitt, a fellow Republican, took over the investigation after he was appointed to replace him.Schmitt said the 12 referrals are the most by any state attorney general since the Pennsylvania report.
Investigators found 163 priests or other clergy members accused of sexual abuse or misconduct against minors. Eighty-three have died. Of the 80 still alive, the statute of limitations has run out on 46 of the crimes, Schmitt said.One case is still under open investigation by the Catholic Church.
“Even without naming individual names, he could still provide much more helpful information than he has,” Clohessy said. A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau said officials had not seen the report and declined to comment. Schmitt said the clergy abuse hotline will remain open, and he encouraged any additional abuse victims to come forward.
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