Washington State's top legal eagle has launched a lawsuit against the Seattle Archdiocese for stonewalling an investigation into the murky handling of child sex abuse allegations. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is seeking to enforce a subpoena after the Archdiocese clammed up on whether they've been funneling charitable funds to sweep clergy misconduct under the rug.
In a move that broke the office's usual silence on active probes, Ferguson took the fight public, filing a petition in King County Superior Court. His beef stems from the Archdiocese's refusal to respond to the second round of subpoenas demanding accounting and financial records. This standoff has forced the hands of the AG's Office, pushing them to ask the court to get involved, with a hearing set for May 22, according to an official statement.
"Washingtonians deserve a public accounting of how the Catholic Church handles allegations of child sex abuse, and whether charitable dollars were used to cover it up," said Ferguson. This sentiment was echoed by Esther Lucero-Miner, a survivor of clergy abuse, who, in a statement obtained by the AG's Office, voiced her support for the investigation as an essential step in the healing process for the Church and those like her who bear the scars of such treachery.
Advocacy group Heal Our Church piled on the pressure, urging the Church's full cooperation to shed light on the "how and why" of these dark chapters. In sharp contrast to the quietude of the cloister, the group calls for transparency and a handing over of all relevant records, including chancery memos and financial info. If the investigation unearths any legal violations, the AG's Office has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure justice and protect future generations from abuse.
A notable case mentioned in the investigation includes Father Michael J. Cody, whose alleged abuses were known to the Seattle Archdiocese for decades. Yet rather than defrocking him, they shuffled him across parishes, facilitating his access to new victims while padding his wallet with church funds. This, and similar cases across the state's three dioceses, are the target of Ferguson's inquisition into the diocese's suspect accounting.
While Ferguson's office has mainly civil legal authority, they use every tool to unravel the truth. Notably, 23 state attorneys general have thrown their hats in the ring, initiating their investigations into Catholic Church misconduct.
Survivors and individuals affected by clergy sexual misconduct are encouraged to reach out to the Attorney General’s Office at 833-952-6277 to share their experiences and bolster the ongoing fight for justice.
