Credibly Accused Media Release
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August 6, 2021
Upon completion of a laborious and time intensive project, the Diocese of Fresno has released its List of Credibly Accused Clergy. This project is the culmination of two years of work that began in May of 2019 when the Diocese of Fresno retained Kinsale Management Consulting under the leadership of Dr. Kathleen McChesney, former Executive Assistant Director of the FBI to review over 2800 clergy files to identify any priest, deacon, or members of a religious order with allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor within the territorial area of the current Diocese of Fresno. Files reviewed dated back as early as the 1900’s to the present date.
Upon completion of the review by Kinsale Consulting, the Diocesan Review Board examined all relevant information surrounding the allegation(s), and reached the opinion that the allegation was credible, or more likely than not to be true. It is this process that has culminated in the release of this list.
The Credibly Accused Clergy List contains information about 37 priests, deacons, or members of a religious order of which 24 are incardinated priests for the Diocese of Fresno, 7 extern priests, and 6 members from a religious order. A separate list of 29 clerics and members of religious orders are named who have no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor while they served in the Diocese of Fresno but were determined to have allegations against them occurring in other dioceses and are listed on other sources.
A letter from Bishop Joseph Brennan accompanies the Credibly Accused List along with a report from the Diocesan Review Board regarding its review. Frequently Asked Questions is also provided to provide information and clarity.
This has been a necessary and important project. The incidence of any sexual abuse of minors in the local Church is a tragedy, an evil that must not happen again. The Diocese of Fresno remains committed to the protection of its youth and ensuring that safeguards are followed rigorously.###
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