The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has had 37 priests accused of sexual abuse since 1926, according to the information released by the archdiocese May 13. That number reflects two additional priests against whom allegations have been received since March 22, 2002, when details of clergy accused of sexual abuse involving minors was given to the Special Commission appointed by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B., to review sexual abuse allegations.

In addition, after reviewing its files, the archdiocese added six new names of priests who have been involved in questionable or ambiguous circumstances involving minors, to the list for review by the special commission.

The archdiocese has been in contact with Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann about its handling of past and current allegations, and plans to initiate contact to do the same with the district attorney's office in each of the other nine counties that make up the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

"Immediately upon receipt, we will be referring any allegation that comes to the archdiocese to the district attorney's office for review," said Jerry Topczewski, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. "We will begin this immediately in Milwaukee County and will work quickly to establish the system for case referral in each of the other counties of the archdiocese."

In addition, any old cases involving any living priest will also be referred to the district attorney's office for review. McCann has said his office is not interested in reviewing cases involving deceased priests at this time.

The total number of priests accused of sexual abuse involving a minor since 1926 includes 12 deceased priests; 11 priests who are retired with full restrictions; seven priests who have no assignment and have full restrictions; three with active ministry assignments; and four that have received dispensation from the priesthood. The term "full restrictions" means the person cannot minister publicly as a priest. The three priests with active ministry assignments are down from the six initially presented to the special commission. Of the six originally identified, one is now retired, one has resigned from active ministry, and another has been removed from active ministry. Each has full restrictions in place.

A review of archdiocesan files resulted in six individuals being added to the list for review by the special commission chaired by Howard Eisenberg, dean of Marquette University Law School. These cases deal with uncertain facts, ambiguous or questionable circumstances that were never resolved. This includes questions of mistaken identity; concerns raised about a priest's behavior, but no knowledge of any victim ever coming forward; or questionable reporting of circumstances surrounding an allegation. Each of these six are in active ministry assignments.

"Instead of leaving any circumstance unresolved, we felt the commission should review a case summary and make a recommendation for resolving the issue once and for all," Topczewski said.

Of the 37 individuals, 16 are known to appropriate civil authorities. Of those 16, five are deceased. McCann knows of each of the three priests in active ministry assignments.

During the next few weeks, the remaining cases of priests who are still alive will be referred to McCann's office. A process for case referral of new allegations received by the archdiocese has also been finalized with McCann.

After receiving an allegation, the Project Benjamin office director will notify Barbara Anne Cusack, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Cusack will serve as the contact person with the district attorney's in the 10 counties of the archdiocese. In Milwaukee County, McCann has indicated his office will take no more than two weeks to conduct its initial review of the case and notify the archdiocese whether it is opening an investigation. During this two-week period, no public disclosure of the priest in question will be made. If an investigation is opened, the archdiocese will temporarily remove the accused priest from active ministry.

"We believe this two-week preliminary review will allow the district attorney to tell us whether enough evidence exists to say an allegation seems credible and should be pursued," Topczewski said. "This provides some protection for priests who could otherwise be maliciously or falsely accused and have their reputation permanently scarred. But it also provides assurances to the public that the appropriate authorities will be involved in the case review."

If the district attorney decides not to open an investigation, the archdiocese will then conduct its own internal investigation using an independent investigator, according to the recommendations of the special commission. The outcome of that investigation will determine whether a priest can return to active ministry or will be removed.