Tenn. Diocese to report sex abuse charges

Memphis, Tennessee - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis has agreed to report all past and future allegations of sexual abuse against priests and other clergy that involve minors, officials said.

The agreement, which also applies to church employees, came after the diocese and District Attorney General's office met Wednesday to discuss why the diocese had not reported abuse allegations it has known about for years.

"Any case that is currently known by the diocese is going to be turned over to the district attorney's office," said Father John Geaney, communications adviser for the diocese.

In two cases of alleged abuse, church officials took actions against the priest but did not report the allegations to agencies that might launch a criminal investigation. Diocesan officials said in December they didn't believe they had to report the cases.

Read the article at nwsource.com dated Thursday, January 6, 2005

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