Thread by @jackmjenkins

1. So I know folks are into papal intrigue re Catholic child sex abuse scandal, but I’m WAY more into the new state investigations into dioceses.

So I…surveyed almost every Catholic diocese in America and asked them about it.

It’s a lot, but it matters: religionnews.com/2018/09/19/as-…

2. One caveat: I didn’t reach out to dioceses in Pennsylvania (they’ve clearly already been investigated) or two in Missouri who were already very public about handing over their internal files to their state attorney general.

I didn’t have to: we already had their answers.

3. Anyway, I asked them all the same question (via email or fax): would you be willing to offer up your internal church files detailing allegations of abuse (the same files that were the foundation of the PA grand jury report) for law enforcement for review?

91(ish) responded.

4. So, why ask this?

Because it would appear all U.S. dioceses (perhaps even worldwide?) keep them according to protocol, and would prove foundational for any law enforcement investigation.

So all these state-level investigations are likely gonna push to see them.

5. As it turns out, many (24ish) dioceses ALREADY let law enforcement/investigators see their files — either bc they were investigated post-2002 after the Spotlight report, or bc they allowed officials to review them during bankruptcy proceedings…after a wave of abuse lawsuits.

6. Fun fact about those bankruptcy things, though: they’ve turned into major payouts for some victims recently, but some lawyers argue they’re often used to SHIELD dioceses from revealing ALL of their files.

7. Meanwhile, advocates for abuse victims say that when dioceses offer to publish the names of alleged abusers on websites, that’s PROGRESS — but not necessarily ENOUGH.

They argue half the point of investigating is bc dioceses aren’t trusted to police themselves.

8. As such, groups like SNAP are pushing for every state to launch an investigation, as well as the federal government.

FYI: the PA AG said a “senior” DoJ official contacted him. When I asked the DoJ if they were launching an investigation, they declined to comment.

9. (Oh and when I reached out to a Vatican spokesperson asking if the DoJ had contacted them, I received no reply.)

10. Anyway, these investigations — and others that may follow — are QUITE a thing to watch, and will simultaneously be really complicated and, for victims, super important.

Read more here: religionnews.com/2018/09/19/as-…

11. (Also HUGE thanks to @emmillerwrites, who helped me contact all those dioceses!)