Boston paedophile priest report reveals abuse figures
The number of priests alleged to have molested people is equivalent to about 7% of the 2324 ordained priests who served in the archdiocese during that time, according to statistics released by church officials.
The statistics were compiled as part of a nationwide survey of clergy sex abuse conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.
The national report was overseen by the National Review Board, a lay watchdog panel formed by American bishops after the abuse scandal exploded in Boston in January 2002.
The scandal began after internal church files revealed how Rev John Geoghan and many other priests were transferred from parish to parish rather than removed from ministry after they were accused of child abuse.
In December 2002, Cardinal Bernard Law resigned as the archbishop of Boston - the country’s fourth -largest diocese - amid a storm of criticism over his handling of the crisis. Geoghan was killed in prison last year.
