SAN ANTONIO – A report on child sexual abuse in the San Antonio Archdiocese released Thursday named 55 clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
During a news conference Thursday afternoon, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, at times choking back tears, said the release of the report "brings tension and pain" but he also was "filled with serenity and peace" by the disclosures. Garcia-Siller said he hopes it will "help survivors who have been ignored or even rejected by their family or by the Church."
According to the report, the most recent names appeared between 2000-2009 and as far back as 1940-1949.
Click here to read Garcia-Siller's letter, the report and the names of the accused clergy
The 15 Catholic dioceses in Texas agreed last fall to make their findings public.
The bishops' decision to release the names is part of an ongoing effort by the church to protect children from sexual abuse.
Patti Koo, San Antonio chapter leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said Wednesday that the release of the report is important to the victims.
"For the victims of sex abuse, it's very important because it validates them," she said. ""Oftentimes, they haven't felt listened to or believed. It also empowers them. They feel like they are no longer alone. It empowers them to come forward."
Garcia-Siller said that releasing the report "does not bring an end to this work; it will continue. We know there is still work to be done."
Watch Garcia-Siller's entire news conference below:
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