Texas Dioceses Release Names of Almost 300 Clergy Members Accused of Abuse

Every Catholic diocese in Texas released the names of nearly 300 “priests, deacons and other clergy members” who have been accused of sexually abusing children, CNN reports. At least 298 names were reportedly released across the state, with allegations dating back to the 1940s. While some of the accused who were named are currently subject to ongoing investigations, many of those who were named have since died. Texas' largest clergy, Archdiocese of San Antonio, released the largest number of names, with 56 clergy members facing abuse claims. Only one relatively new diocese, the Diocese of Laredo, didn't release any names because it said it could not find any credible allegations against their clergy. According to the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, there are reportedly 1,320 Catholic parishes and 8.5 million Catholics in the state.