Mississippi Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against Roman Catholic Church Dioceses

Are you suffering from the aftermath of sexual abuse committed by a priest, pastor, bishop, brother, sister, or other religious leaders? You are not alone. Others who had a trusted relationship with the Catholic Church were taken advantage of by clergy members through sexual molestation and inappropriate contact.

In many cases, the devastating misuse of the religious leader’s position left a wake of survivors coping with repressive memories and unimaginable thoughts of what occurred. Many of those suffering from a sexual assault were told to keep quiet for fear of retaliation, exposure, or revictimization.

It often takes decades for victims of sexual abuse to speak up and tell others after years of suffering in silence. If you or your loved one is the victim of sexual assault, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can provide immediate legal assistance.

Our caring team of lawyers can protect your rights and help you speak openly about what happened. Our clergy sexual assault injury attorneys are ready to listen to your story. We have a comprehensive understanding of Mississippi tort law and will use the legal system to ensure the predator faces the consequences they deserve for their unacceptable behavior.

Sexual Assault with Clergy Remains a Problem

In 2019, the Jackson Diocese published a list naming priests credibly accused of sexual assault. The report included Bishop Joseph Kopacz’s statement that encourages sexual assault victims harmed by priests, pastors, clergy members, and employees to speak out and notify the church of the wrongdoing. Over 48,000 registered Catholics participate in the diocese and reside in over sixty-five different counties.

Three clergy members on the list face accusations of sexually abusing underage children. One of the religious leaders was convicted and is now serving a decades-long prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing an adolescent boy. Another priest faces allegations of sexually assaulting teenage girls back in the 1980s in Biloxi.

The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault

Sexual assaulting anyone can cause lifelong devastation that negatively alters the victim’s well-being. Sexually assaulted adults and children can suffer from significant sleeping disorders, ongoing depression, substance abuse, self-injury, and suicide, including suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).

Teenaged and younger victims might develop negative eating habits, begin living an over-sexualized lifestyle, or engage in any form of risky behavior.

Holding the Abuser Accountable

In 2019, the Associated Press reported that Mississippi Roman Catholic Church officials had secretly settled out of court with two African American men in cases involving inappropriate sexual contact committed by priests. The church paid each of them $15,000 to keep quiet about allegations of sexual assault involving religious leaders.

The abuse allegedly occurred during the 1990s when both men were St. Francis of Assisi Elementary school students in Greenwood.

However, the amount paid was significantly lower in these cases compared to other sexual assault survivors nationwide that are part of the church’s abuse scandal. Many victims, including others in Greenwood and Jackson Dioceses, received an average payment of over $250,000 per victim.

Mississippi Roman Catholic Church Diocese

In Mississippi, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The two dioceses and their Bishops manage more than 150 Churches and thirty-four Catholic schools throughout the state (listed below). The Church provides services to thousands of registered Catholics living in eighty-two counties.

Mississippi Dioceses

Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
1790 Popp’s Ferry Rd
Biloxi, MS 39532
Bishop: Louis Frederick Kihneman
(228) 702-2100

Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson
237 E Amite St
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 969-1880
Bishop: Joseph Kopacz
Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Peter

Mississippi Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers are Ready to Help

Our network of lawyers knows the challenges you face in discussing the unspeakable actions that a clergy member did to you. We know the Catholic Church will always wield its power, saying nothing wrong happened to those who stepped forward speak about victimization.

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.

Let us open your case today. Talk to us now so we can start filing all the necessary paperwork. Your actions today can ensure that no one else will ever be sexually assaulted by the religious authority again.

We will protect your rights, successfully resolve your case, and obtain financial compensation. Contact us now at (888) 424-5757. All information you share during an initial, free consultation concerning your case will remain confidential.