San Antonio archbishop releases report on sexual abuse claims against priests
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Archbishop Gastavo Garcia-Siller likened claims of sexual abuse of children by clergy members to a bitter wind blowing through the church Thursday afternoon.
“A report such as the one I release to you brings tension and pain,” the archbishop stated at a news conference.
He says releasing the names of accused Clergy is “truly right and just.”
Garcia-Siller was emotional at times as he discussed why the report was being made public.
The report names more than 50 priests, the parishes they were assigned to, and the number of abuse allegations against them.
The allegations date as far back as 1940.
The archbishop apologized for the failings that have hurt the church — especially its most valuable members.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said Thursday his office will be investigating the allegations.
“Like any other crime, these allegations have to be investigated by a law enforcement agency,” Gonzales said in a statement. “It has to go through the proper channels. Once that happens, then the case gets filed with our office. What’s important to note is that every crime has a statute of limitations – that is a period after which you may not be able to prosecute, especially when it comes to sexual assaults against children.”
The district attorney noted anything that happened before September 1987 likely can’t be prosecuted because it is too old of an offense.
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