- A major investigation by NBC News and the Associated Press has uncovered that nearly 1,700 Catholic priests and clergy members accused of sexual abuse continue to live without supervision or oversight across the United States — years after being publicly identified by the Church as “credibly accused.
The report highlights that many of these men, though removed from ministry, still reside in communities without restrictions or tracking.
Some have taken on new roles involving public contact, raising alarm among survivors and advocacy groups who say the Church has failed to ensure public safety.
Investigators found that several accused priests now work as teachers, counselors, or volunteers in settings that may involve children. Others have moved across state lines or even changed their names to avoid attention.
The new data follows efforts by dioceses nationwide to release lists of priests accused of abuse, often after decades of secrecy.
While Church officials claim these lists represent transparency and accountability, survivor networks argue that disclosure without enforcement leaves communities vulnerable.
“The Church may have finally named them,” said one survivor advocate, “but it hasn’t done enough to protect others from them.”
The Catholic Church has faced mounting pressure since the early 2000s, when investigations — most famously The Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” series — exposed systemic cover-ups.
Despite reforms and promises of vigilance, the NBC/AP report suggests that oversight remains inconsistent and fragmented across dioceses.
Legal experts argue that, in the absence of criminal convictions, civil authorities have little power to monitor accused clergy — leaving the responsibility largely to Church institutions themselves.
Victims and advocacy groups continue to demand national policies requiring that accused priests be tracked and barred from contact with minors.
They warn that without real accountability, the cycle of abuse and silence may continue.
“Public naming is only the first step,” said another survivor. “Justice means preventing future victims — not just acknowledging past ones.”
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