Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Lawyers
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Catholic Bishops Promised Transparency, But Apparently Not in Florida

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Catholic Bishops Promised Transparency, But Apparently Not in Florida

January 30, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Catholic Bishops Promised Transparency, But Apparently Not in Florida

We love our home state but have to ask: What's wrong with Florida?

We just blogged about how Florida's Attorney General is - to put it kindly - 'behind the curve' on releasing information about Catholic wrongdoers, both offenders and 'enablers.'

Now, a new investigation confirms what we at Horowitz Law have long said: Florida's bishops are also 'behind the curve' in disclosing what they know about their staff and colleagues who assault kids and hide the crimes.

Here's the take-away: Five of seven dioceses in Florida, home to many millions of Catholics, STILL have not released names of credibly accused child molesting clerics.  (Most bishops across the US have done so, about 170 of them, have done this already, some as far back as 2002.)

https://www.propublica.org/article/catholic-leaders-promised-transparency-about-child-abuse-they-havent-delivered

What's the excuse from Florida's bishops?

Essentially, they're saying "Well, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is investigating us, so we'll sit tight for now."  That might be acceptable in lots of other contexts. But remember: we're talking about clerics who commit and conceal heinous crimes against children. Many of those clerics are still alive. Some, maybe most, have never been identified publicly (much less , much less criminally charged or convicted).

So there's a very real and very urgent need to, at the very least, immediately reveal the names of the living priests who are 'credibly accused' of assaulting kids.  Every day a predator enjoys secrecy, he or she has a much better chance of being able to assault someone else. It's little consolation, of course, but Pro Publica's report shows that partial, deceptive and self-serving disclosures are happening all across the country.

-The Boston Archdiocese, for instance lists 171 'credibly accused' clerics. But a far more impartial source, BishopAccountability.org, lists 279, including dozens of religious order priests omitted from the official archdiocesan list.

-The Rockville Centre diocese, home of 1.5 million Catholics (and one of the nation's most scandal-ridden dioceses) still has listed no names whatsoever.

-Roughly 90% of all bishops refuse to reveal how many victims each of their predator priests has hurt.

Back to Florida's bishops. A note of irony: These prelates are lobbying for a bill in Tallahassee to restrict payday lending, also called "predatory lending."

https://flaccb.org/news/predatory-lending-bill-passes-senate-committee

That's a noble cause, of course. But they should keep their eyes on the prize

Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap