Florida Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against the Roman Catholic Church Archdioceses & Priests
In recent decades, many survivors of sexual assault committed by Roman Catholic priests have come forward to discuss their physical, emotional, or spiritual healing to find peace from their harm. These new allegations have created a movement that now holds the religious predator accountable for their actions and Church officials liable for their inaction to stop the priest’s inappropriate behavior.
In Florida jurisdictions, many survivors use the civil legal system as an effective tool of accountability that can provide them financial compensation and other relief.
It takes great courage for the sexually assaulted victim to speak out and identify the one that caused them harm. If you are a sexual assault survivor or your loved one was victimized through sexual abuse, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can help.
Our caring team understands the pain you are feeling and the courage it takes to speak openly about what occurred. Our clergy sexual injury attorneys are here to listen to your story. We will use our comprehensive understanding of Florida tort law to present and win your case to ensure the sexual perpetrator faces financial consequences.
Clergy Sexual Assault – The Problem Remains
In November 2019, USA Today posted a report of an investigation that identified over 1200 former Catholic religious leaders. Some of the clergy members included priests in Florida, who had been accused of sexual assault that were never held accountable or provided little oversight by the church.
In recent years, the Roman Catholic Church has posted lists in each diocese that identified priests and other clergymen who were “credibly accused” of harming victims, including children.
Many priests who faced allegations of sexual abuse years and decades ago had worked in Florida or came here to retire and take up residency in community neighborhoods. Nearly every priest who was accused of sexually assaulting children has never held legally accountable, faced a lawsuit, or been sent to prison.
The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault
Sexual assaulting anyone can cause lifelong devastation that negatively alters the victim’s well-being. Young children and teenage victims might develop negative eating habits, begin living an over-sexualized lifestyle, or engage in any form of risky behavior. Children and adults who have been sexually assaulted can suffer from significant sleeping disorders, ongoing depression, substance abuse, self-injury, and suicide, including suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).
Finding Justice
In September 2004, the Roman Catholic Church in Miami, Florida, paid out more than $3.4 million to resolve cases involving twenty-three victims who had been sexually assaulted by one of five priests. That same year in April, the church paid out over $1 million to resolve cases involving twelve victims sexually abused by Father Schaeufele in St. Petersburg, Florida.
In May 2005, the church paid out $1.5 million to resolve cases involving three victims sexually abused by two priests in Saint Augustine and Orlando, Florida.
Florida Roman Catholic Church Diocese
In Florida, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The Archdiocese of Miami, five dioceses, and their Bishops manage more than 490 parishes statewide (listed below). The Church provides services to hundreds of thousands of registered Catholics living in sixty-seven counties.
Florida Dioceses
Catholic Diocese of Orlando
50 E Robinson St.
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 246-4800
Bishop: John Gerard Noonan
Cathedral: St. James Catholic Cathedral
Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg
6363 9th Ave N
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
(727) 344-1611
Bishop: Gregory L. Parkes
Cathedral: St Jude Cathedral
Archdiocese of Miami
9401 Biscayne Blvd
Miami Shores, FL 33138
(305) 757-6241
Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Mary
Bishop: Thomas Wenski
Auxiliary Bishop: Enrique Esteban Delgado
Diocese of Venice in Florida
1000 Pinebrook Rd
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 484-9543
Bishop: Frank Joseph Dewane
Cathedral: Epiphany Cathedral
Diocese of St. Augustine
11625 Old St Augustine Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32258
(904) 262-3200
Bishop: Felipe de Jesús Estévez
Cathedral: Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach
9995 N Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 775-9500
Cathedral: Cathedral of St Ignatius Loyola
Florida Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers are Ready to Help
Our network of lawyers knows the challenges you have in talking about the unspeakable actions that a clergy member did to you. We know the Catholic Church pushes back with its wielding power saying nothing wrong happened to victims.
However, with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, on your side, you will not face them alone. We can assure you that all those responsible for your abuse will hear your shocking story at trial or when settling your case.
We can start working on your lawsuit today. Talk to us now so we can begin filing all the necessary paperwork. Taking legal action against a clergy member now could stop the sexual assault of others in the future.
We will successfully resolve your case, obtain financial compensation, and protect your rights. Contact us now at (888) 424-5757. All information you share during an initial, free consultation concerning your case will remain confidential.
All Florida Parishes:
All Saints Church, Sunrise
All Saints Parish, Clearwater
Annunciation Church
Ascension Church, Boca Raton
Ascension Parish, Fort Myers Beach
Assumption Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Assumption Church
Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria
Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Jacksonville
Blessed Sacrament Church
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Tampa
Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Blessed Trinity Church
Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Petersburg
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Palm Beach Gardens
Cathedral of St. James Parish, Orlando
Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, St. Petersburg
Catholic Student Center at USF, Tampa
Centro Guadalupano Mission, Wahneta
Christ the Good Shepherd Mission, Trenton
Christ the King Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Christ the King Church
Christ the King Parish, Sarasota
Christ the King, Tampa
Church of Our Savior Parish, Cocoa Beach
Church of the Epiphany Parish, Port Orange
Church of the Resurrection Parish, Lakeland
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, St. Augustine
Corpus Christi Chapel Parish, Naples
Corpus Christi Church
Corpus Christi Parish, Celebration
Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace
Crucifixion Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Divine Mercy Parish, Merritt Island
Eckerd College – Campus Ministry, St. Petersburg
Emmanuel Catholic Church, Delray Beach
Epiphany Catholic Church, Lake City
Epiphany Church
Epiphany of Our Lord (Ukrainian) Parish, St. Petersburg
Espiritu Santo, Safety Harbor
Gesu Church
Good Shepherd Church
Good Shepherd Parish, Orlando
Holy Child Mission, Bowling Green
Holy Cross Mission, Cross City
Holy Cross Parish, Palmetto
Holy Cross Vero, Vero Beach
Holy Cross Parish, Indiantown
Holy Cross Parish, Orlando
Holy Cross Parish, St. Petersburg
Holy Dormition Parish, Ormond Beach
Holy Faith Catholic Church, Gainesville
Holy Family by the Sea Parish, Jacksonville
Holy Family Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Holy Family Catholic Church, Williston
Holy Family Church
Holy Family Mission, Everglades City
Holy Family Parish, Orlando
Holy Family Parish, Port St. Lucie
Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg
Holy Martyrs Mission, LaBelle
Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Parish, Largo
Holy Name of Jesus Church, West Palm Beach
Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Indialantic
Holy Redeemer Church
Holy Redeemer Church, Palm City
Holy Redeemer Parish, Kissimmee
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Holy Spirit Church, Lantana
Holy Spirit Parish, Lake Wales
Holy Spirit Parish, Mims
Immaculate Conception Church
Immaculate Conception Haitian Mission, Tampa
Immaculate Conception Parish, Melbourne Beach
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Ocala
Incarnation Parish, Sarasota
Incarnation Parish, Tampa
Jesus the Worker Parish, Fort Myers
Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater
Little Flower Church (Coral Gables)
Little Flower Church (Hollywood)
Mary Help of Christians Church
Mary Help of Christians Parish, Tampa
Mary Immaculate Church, West Palm Beach
Mary, Mother of Light, Maronite Catholic Church, Tequesta
Mary, Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Mercy of God Polish Mission, St. Petersburg
Misíon Católica La Guadalupana Parish, Ocala
Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Jacksonville
Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa
Most Precious Blood Parish, Oviedo
Mother of Christ Church
Mother of Our Redeemer Church
Nativity Catholic Church, Longwood
Nativity Church
Nativity, Brandon
Notre Dame d’Haiti Mission
Notre Dame Mission, Fort Pierce
Our Lady of Charity National Shrine
Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, Callahan
Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Mission
Our Lady of Divine Providence Church
Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, St. Augustine
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Avon Park
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Beverly Hills
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Palm Bay
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Fellsmere
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Wimauma
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Immokalee
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Port Orange
Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Mission
Our Lady of Light Parish Parish, Fort Meyers
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Boca Raton
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Venice
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Daytona Beach
Our Lady of Lourdes, Parish Dunedin
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Melbourne
Our Lady of Mercy Church
Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Boca Grande
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Osprey
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission, Delray Beach
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Tampa
Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch
Our Lady of the Bay Chapel, MacDill AFB
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-St. Richard Church
Our Lady of the Lakes Church
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Deltona
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Bokeelia
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’ Lakes
Our Lady of the Springs Parish, Ocala
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, LaBelle
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Sarasota
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Delray Beach
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, New Port Richey
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Parish, Royal Palm Beach
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Pointe Vedra Beach