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N.J. and Va. dioceses release names of 246 clergy accused of abuse

Inside a Catholic Church
Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Catholic dioceses in New Jersey and Virginia on Wednesday separately released the names of a total of 246 clergy whom officials said have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children.

The big picture: The disclosures are the latest by a growing number of U.S. dioceses that have admitted to covering up child sex abuse allegations, amid a still-growing crisis that has jeopardized the Catholic Church's credibility. Officials noted that many of the clergy members are dead or have been removed from ministry.

  • Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said in a statement that the lists do not include allegations that church officials have not deemed "credible": "We have seen previous cases where accusations have been deemed not credible only for those determinations to have been disastrously wrong."
Catholic Church