Clergy Abuse Allegations

In 2003, as part of the 2002 USCCB's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocese of Salt Lake City conducted a thorough internal review of its files going back 50 years. The list was posted on the Diocesan website at the end of 2018.

Diocesan Statement on Clergy Abuse Allegations

In an effort to demonstrate transparency and accountability, Bishop Oscar A. Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City committed to having a full independent review of all clergy files going beyond the 50 years of the 2003 internal review and including files for all past and present priests and deacons within the Diocese. The Diocese of Salt Lake City retained a former investigator from the Federal Bureau of Intelligence and a retired detective of the Salt Lake City Police Department who were given full access to over 900 clergy files covering all files in existence in the Diocese of Salt Lake City without any oversite from anyone within the Diocese. The purpose of this independent file review was to locate any incidents, reports, or suspicions of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults.

Beginning in June 2019, the independent file review verfied the accuracy of the 2003 internal review, and going beyond 50 years, to include all past and present files of all priests and deacons within the Diocese. At the end of July 2019, the independent file review was completed. The results of the 2019 independent file review were provided to the Diocese. The findings of the 2019 independent review are shared in a Report to the People of God from the Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, D.D., Bishop of Salt Lake City. The list released in 2018 has be updated to include all findings of the 2019 independent review.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City is committed to ensuring the health and safety of young people within its community. Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay Church personnel and has not yet reported the incident is encouraged to do so. The Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to assist in making a report. The contact number for the Victim Assistance Coordinator is (801) 328-8641, ext. 344.