St. Norbert Abbey has identified 22 Norbertine priests who sexually assaulted minors over six decades.
The abbey on Friday released the list of names after an investigation into abuse allegations conducted by an outside organization. Rt. Rev. Dane Radecki, abbot of St. Norbert, said in a letter that he chose to publish the findings “in the spirit of accountability.”
“My hope is that the ‘release of names’ will assist in the healing process for victims and survivors,” Radecki wrote. “I profoundly apologize and ask forgiveness from those abused by the Norbertines of our Abbey.”
Norbertines, also known as Premonstratensians, are part of an independent order of Catholic clergy that differ from diocesan priests. They’re based locally at an abbey in De Pere and serve Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Holy Cross, among other parishes. Their priests also work at four Catholic schools, including St. Norbert College.
Only five of the 22 priests named are still alive, and 12 have multiple “credible” allegations against them. The abbey defines a credible allegation as one in which the priest confessed or “the preponderance of facts lead to the conclusion that the abuse probably took place.”
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