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Hawley launches investigation into how St. Louis Archdiocese handled sex abuse allegations

Archbishop Robert Carlson speaks during a press conference on August 23, 2018. Carlson invited Attorney General Josh Hawley to review allegations of clergy sex abuse.
Ryan Delaney I St. Louis Public Radio
Archbishop Robert Carlson speaks during a press conference on August 23, 2018. Carlson invited Attorney General Josh Hawley to review allegations of clergy sex abuse.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley has accepted the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ invitation to review allegations of clergy sex abuse.

It comes after a grand jury in Pennsylvania issueda report detailingwidespread child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in that state. Sex abuse victim advocates have been calling for Hawley to launch a similar investigation.

On Thursday, Archbishop Robert Carlsonwrote a letterto Hawley inviting him “to review our files for the purpose of making an independent determination of our handling of allegations of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.”

Carlson added that the Archdiocese “always cooperated with law enforcement in any investigation into these matters and we will continue to do so.”

Hawley told reporters on Thursday that he is accepting Carlson’s offer. He emphasized that his office doesn’t have the power to issue charges in this matter, but added he could recommend local prosecutors take action.

“What their cooperation will permit is for us to conduct a thorough, fair, impartial and indeed vigorous investigation — that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Hawley said.

Hawley also said that the statute of limitations may prevent prosecutors from filing charges, which is one of the reasons he’s starting the investigation as swiftly as possible.

“Facts are powerful things,” Hawley said. “And what the public wants, above else, is they want an accounting. They want an accounting of the facts. They want to know what’s happened, what’s going on and what’s being done to address it.”

When asked if his office has received a similar request from other dioceses from across the state, Hawley replied: “We have not.” He said that his office can’t subpoena specific dioceses, but added that his staff can investigate if they’re asked.

“We’ll be reaching out to them,” Hawley said. “I would strongly encourage them to do as the archbishop has done — and to open to us their files and their information. Make folks available to us so we can conduct an investigation that will cover the state and issue findings that will be comprehensive statewide.”

Carlson's invitation for Attorney General Josh Hawley to examine the Archdiocese of St. Louis' files comes after a Pennsylvania grand jury report detailed widespread sex abuse over a 70 year period.
Credit Ryan Delaney I St. Louis Public Radio
Carlson's invitation for Attorney General Josh Hawley to examine the Archdiocese of St. Louis' files comes after a Pennsylvania grand jury report detailed widespread sex abuse over a 70 year period.

A spokesperson for the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese says it has not been contacted by Hawley’s office, but the Diocese will cooperate with any review the attorney general requests.

Carlson told reporters on Thursday afternoon that the diocese "has nothing to hide," which is one of the reasons why it invited Hawley's office to review its files.

“The files that we’re talking about are actually files of anyone that’s been accused of sexual abuse," Carlson said. "And while we don’t know the protocols yet that the attorney general’s office will use, any files that they want to see will be available to them.”

Still, some survivors aren't totally optimistic about where the investigation might lead.

David Clohessy is the former executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. He says that attorney general’s review doesn’t include subpoena power, which means the office can’t compel the archdiocese to turn over anything it doesn’t want to. 

“I think in the end, it will be a public relations coup for Hawley and for the church. And that’s tragic," Clohessy said. "That outcome will breed complacency. And complacency is precisely what we don’t need. Complacency endangers kids — doesn’t protect them.”

The Pennsylvaniagrand jury’s reportfound, among other things, that leaders of the state’s Catholic churches persuaded victims not to report abuse and law enforcement not to investigate allegations. It covered six of the state’s eight dioceses.

Hawley said that his office will issue a public report once its investigation is complete.

Follow Jason on Twitter:@jrosenbaum

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Since entering the world of professional journalism in 2006, Jason Rosenbaum dove head first into the world of politics, policy and even rock and roll music. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Rosenbaum spent more than four years in the Missouri State Capitol writing for the Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri Lawyers Media and the St. Louis Beacon.
Ryan Delaney
Ryan is a reporter on the education desk at St. Louis Public Radio, covering both higher education and the many school districts in the St. Louis region. He has previously reported for public radio stations WFYI in Indianapolis and WRVO in upstate New York. He began his journalism career working part time for WAER while attending Syracuse University. He's won multiple reporting awards and his work, which has aired on NPR, The Takeaway and WGBH's Innovation Hub. Having grown up in Burlington, Vt., he often spends time being in the woods hiking, camping, and skiing.