We Pledge
To Sanctify, Protect and Heal
Bishop Edward J. Burns lies prostrate (lying face down on the ground) in front of the altar as a sign of recognition of the need for God’s mercy
during the Ceremony of Sorrow at St. Cecilia Church, October 9, 2018.
LIST OF ALL PRIESTS WITH CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS SINCE 1950
Bishop Edward Burns has fulfilled his promise to the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Dallas by releasing the list of priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors from 1950 through today. In doing so, he joins the bishops of the 14 other Catholic dioceses in Texas and the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter in taking this step. The Texas bishops made the decision to release the lists of names in the context of their ongoing work to protect children from sexual abuse, and their efforts to promote healing and a restoration of trust in the Catholic Church.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
JOHN 6:51
How was this list put together?
In early 2018, a team of former state and federal law enforcement experts began to review diocesan personnel files to identify credible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors within the Diocese. In August 2018, this group’s mandate expanded to include the review of the files of all active and former priests in the Diocese dating back to 1950 to identify any allegations of the sexual abuse of minors. When the review team identified an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor by a priest in the Diocese of Dallas, that allegation was forwarded to the Diocesan Review Board. The Diocesan Review Board then evaluated the allegation and other available information, and made a recommendation to Bishop Burns as to whether the allegation was credible. Bishop Burns accepted the Board’s recommendations and, as Chief Pastor of the Diocese, communicated the list released on January 31, 2019 to the Catholic faithful of the Diocese.
2,424
Priest files
A team of former state and federal law enforcement experts reviewed the files of 2,424 active and former priests in the Diocese dating back to 1950 to identify any allegations of the sexual abuse of minors.
Less than 2%
Priests with credible allegation(s)
A “credible allegation” is one that, after review of reasonably available, relevant information in consultation with the Diocesan Review Board or other professionals, there is reason to believe it is true.
CONTINUOUS VIGILANCE IN KEEPING OUR DIOCESE SAFE
Statistics reported for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas from July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
5,316
Diocese Clergy and Staff
were cleared to work with children after submitting to screening, training and criminal background checks.
18,268
Volunteers
were cleared to work with children after submitting to screening, training and criminal background checks.
46,304
Children and Youth
in both Catholic Schools and parish religious education received abuse prevention education.
Bishop Burns has taken a number of proactive measures in responding to the sex abuse crisis in our church.
August 14, 2018
Bishop Burns met with media to make statement regarding the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report release.
August 18-19, 2018
Bishop Burns attended Masses at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Dallas to announce the credible allegations against Reverend Edmundo Paredes. Afterwards, the bishop met with media to announce Paredes allegations and answer questions.
August 20, 2018
Bishop Burns shared more information with the media to answer questions regarding the Paredes allegations timeline.
August 26, 2018
All pastors in the Diocese of Dallas were asked by Bishop Burns to share a letter with parishioners that he wrote about the credible accusations of criminal sexual acts by Reverend Edmundo Paredes. Bishop Burns attended multiple Masses at parishes throughout the diocese to personally read the letter to deliver the news.
August 29, 2018
Our bishops and priests sent a letter to Pope Francis asking him to hold an Extraordinary Synod to bring about systemic change in the reporting and handling of clergy sex abuse cases. The letter was unanimously approved and signed by priests serving on consultative boards representing priests throughout the diocese, was delivered to the Vatican Embassy in Washington, D.C. to be directed to Pope Francis as soon as possible.*
*October 25, 2018
Received letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State thanking Bishop Burns for the letter and letting us know that Pope Francis is remembering all of the priests of our diocese in prayer.
August 30, 2018
Bishop Burns met with media to announce that the letter to Pope Francis had been sent.
September 2, 2018
Bishop Burns attended 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Cecilia to announce date for the Ceremony of Sorrow and Town Hall Listening Session at St. Cecilia and dates for all other Listening Sessions.
October 9, 2018
Bishop Burns presided at the Ceremony of Sorrow at St. Cecilia, along with the first Town Hall Listening Session with parishioners.
October 10, 2018
Bishop Burns met with media to announce the Diocese of Dallas would join the 14 other Catholic dioceses in Texas in providing lists of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors dating back to 1950 through today.
October 15-18, 2018
Bishop Burns presided at the Holy Hour and Town Hall Listening Sessions at St. Jude in Allen, Mary Immaculate in Farmers Branch and St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Dallas.
December 7, 2018
Bishop Burns released a statement commending the Jesuits and other religious orders for "working for truth and transparency in order to keep children and youth safe" by releasing the names of priests with credible allegations in their respective orders.
January 31, 2019
Bishop Burns released a list naming all priests with credible allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct with minors since 1950 in the Diocese of Dallas, joining the 14 other Catholic dioceses in Texas who had pledged to release the list of names on this date. Afterwards, the bishop met with media to discuss the release of names.
May 15, 2019
Bishop Burns spoke with the media to address the police presence at the Catholic Diocese of Dallas Pastoral Center, stating in part, "The Diocese will continue to cooperate in all investigations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy. We recognize that throughout our collaboration with police, there are some who are not satisfied and want to look for themselves. We know we have given them the files, and so let them look. What this does is gives us another opportunity to be cooperative and transparent."
Report abuse
If you suspect a priest or employee at your parish has engaged in sexual misconduct involving a child:
First, notify local law enforcement.
Second, notify the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services through the Texas Abuse Hotline - 1-800-252-5400 or www.txabusehotline.org.
Finally, if the allegation involves a member of the clergy or an employee of a parish or the Diocese, please notify or the Diocese of Dallas Victims Assistance Coordinator, Brenda Martinez at 214-379-2812.
Contact the Victim's assistance coordinator
The first obligation of the Church with regard to victims is for healing and reconciliation. The Catholic Diocese of Dallas continues to reach out to every person who has been a victim of sexual abuse as a minor by anyone in church service, whether that abuse is recent or occurred in the past.
Brenda martinez, Victim's Assistance Coordinator
(214) 379-2812
Report Ethics Violations
The Diocese of Dallas is committed to ethical behavior and accountability. To make a report regarding violations of ethical behavior, visit the secure EthicsPoint website.
Categories for reporting include: accounting/financial; confidentiality; fraud/theft; gifts/donations; harassment/inappropriate behavior; misuse of resources; workplace safety; child and youth protection and school safety.
A PRAYER FOR HEALING
VICTIMS OF ABUSE
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by his blood on the cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters
who have been gravely harmed,
and the cries of those who love them.
Soothe their restless hearts with hope,
steady their shaken spirits with faith.
Grant them justice for their cause,
enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform brokenness into wholeness.
Grant us the courage and wisdom,
humility and grace, to act with justice.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.
Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.