Seattle archdiocese posts list of clergy accused of sexual assault

The Archdiocese of Seattle on Friday published a list of clergy and others accused of sexually assaulting children while serving or living in Western Washington.

The 77 individuals whose names were published to the archdiocese website “have allegations that are either admitted, established or determined to be credible,” the archdiocese wrote in a news release. Twenty-five of the names are listed as having served in Pierce and Thurston county posts, most recently in 2003.

Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain apologized for abuse in a news release.

“I express my deepest apologies for the actions of those who were in positions of trust and who violated that sacred trust by abusing the vulnerable in their care,” Archbishop Sartain said.

Included on the list are clergy and religious officials who served or lived in Western Washington between 1923 and 2008. Among those listed are 30 archdiocese and 16 religious priests, 14 religious brothers, one religious sister, two deacons and 14 priests from other dioceses, the archdiocese wrote in the release.

Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni said the list had been in the works for two years.

“In early 2014 we brought in a private consultant, a former FBI agent who does this kind of work; she came in with an associate and was given full access to our files. It took about 1,000 staff hours to put it together,” Magnoni said.

The archdiocese says anyone who has knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call 1-800-446-7762.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Seattle archdiocese posts list of clergy accused of sexual assault."