US Database Exposes Filipino Priests Accused of Sex Abuse

‘Philippine bishops feel entitled to their silence,’ says Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org

MANILA, Philippines – In a significant move to address the issue of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, a US-based watchdog known as BishopAccountability.org launched a comprehensive database on Wednesday, January 29. This database exposes 82 priests and brothers linked to the Philippines who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing minors.

The new database categorizes the accused as follows:

• Filipino priests accused of sexually abusing minors in the Philippines
• Filipino priests who served in the Philippines but were accused of sexually abusing minors in the US
• Accused clergy from other countries, including the US, Ireland, and Australia, who served in the Philippines

Entitlement to Silence

“The theme today is the deep sense of entitlement by Philippine bishops to withhold information from the public,” stated Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, during a press conference at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City.

Doyle accused the Philippines’ bishops of feeling entitled to their silence and criticized them for withholding information about sexual violence, defending accused priests, and reinstalling them in ministry without proper accountability.

“These men fear nothing because the silence of the bishops protects them,” Doyle said emphatically.

Vatican Mandate

However, Cardinal David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, argued that the Vatican has mandated Filipinos bishops to address abuse issues seriously. The CBCP Office for the Safeguarding of Minors, headed by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias of San Fernando, Pampanga, includes a team of bishops and experts.

Watchdog’s Perspective

Suzanne Nauman, the database manager and senior researcher for BishopAccountability.org, insisted that their group was not criticizing the Catholic faith itself but the institution. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between one’s faith and the institution.

“Can I say there’s a big difference between one’s faith and the institution? They’re not the same, right?”

“We never want someone to lose their faith or feel conflicted about that because of practicing within this particular institution. It’s possible to perhaps make the institution better by helping them to address this issue,”

Steps Towards Accountability

The launch of this database represents a crucial step in the fight against child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It encourages transparency and accountability, critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.

As the issue continues to draw attention, it is imperative that the Catholic Church remains responsive and proactive in implementing stricter measures to prevent such offenses and ensure justice for victims.

Call for Action

This is a call to all community members, supporters, and critics alike to engage in this conversation. Whether you are a believer or not, discussing and addressing these issues is crucial for building safer communities.

We encourage you to share this article on your social media platforms, subscribe to our newsletter for more updates, and leave your thoughts in the comments section below.