A United States-based watchdog has launched an online database featuring over 80 Roman Catholic priests accused of sexually abusing minors in the Philippines. The group, BishopAccountability.org, highlighted the lack of response from Filipino bishops, labeling it as a cover-up of the crimes. Despite the Philippines being the third-largest Roman Catholic nation globally, discussions on clergy sexual assaults have historically been subdued.
The database includes details of alleged sexual assaults by clergy members, some dating back over two decades. Notably, none of the 82 individuals, which include seven bishops, have been convicted in a Philippine court. BishopAccountability.org has previously established similar online databases in countries like the U.S., Argentina, Chile, and Ireland.
Anne Barrett Doyle, a director of the organization, criticized the silence of Filipino bishops, suggesting it emboldened further abuse. She urged Philippine prosecutors to investigate church officials who failed to report abuses, emphasizing the importance of transparency in combating such misconduct.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David acknowledged the establishment of an office by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to address abuse cases and report complaints to the Vatican. However, external mechanisms promoting accountability, such as legal action by victims or government inquiries, have been limited in the Philippines compared to other Catholic-majority countries.
The nonprofit expressed concern over cleared clergy members returning to church duties, potentially putting vulnerable individuals at risk. The list of 82 clerics linked to sexual abuses in the Philippines is believed to represent only a fraction of the actual cases, indicating a more extensive issue within the church.
During a news conference, a victim of clergy sexual abuse, Gemma Hickey, highlighted the enduring trauma experienced by survivors. Hickey emphasized the disparity in consequences faced by perpetrators versus victims, with many abusers evading punishment and continuing their lives while survivors grapple with lasting emotional scars.
