Nevada Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against Roman Catholic Church Dioceses

For decades, victims sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests, bishops, pastors, deacons, brothers, sisters, and other religious leaders have been silenced and shame through intimidation. Disgracefully, church officials have taught the abuse survivors that they must forgive the predator.

Religious leaders have a responsibility to ensure that all adults and children parishioners are protected from Roman Catholic sexual abusers.

It can be challenging for sexual abuse survivors to come forward after years of suffering in silence. If you were injured, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can help you and your family with legal assistance involving surviving sexual assault.

Our caring team understands the pain you are feeling and the courage it takes to speak openly about what occurred. Our clergy sexual abuse injury lawyers are ready to hear your story. Let our comprehensive knowledge of Nevada tort law build a successful case to ensure the sexual predator who caused your injuries faces their consequences.

Clergy Sexual Assault – An Ongoing Problem

In April 2019, the Diocese of Reno identified a dozen priests in the state who had been credibly accused of sexual assault. All but one of the priests are now deceased, including Monsignor Anderson, who passed away in 1978.

Officials accused Anderson sexually assaulting an underage boy from 1965 through 1969 in Henderson. The child was about thirteen years old when the sexual molestation started.

In the same month, the Las Vegas Catholic diocese identified thirty-three former priests and employees credibly accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with underage minors. Some of these cases date back to the early 1930s.

Twelve of the priests on the list are still alive. However, none are currently ministering in any school or parish in the Las Vegas Diocese.

The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault

Sexual assault victims often face a lifelong challenge of dealing with emotional trauma inflicted by their abuser. Sexually abuse adults and children can develop debilitating sleeping disorders, ongoing depression, substance abuse, self-injury, and suicide, including suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).

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

Death of an Alleged Abuser

In March 2019, Nevada law enforcement found a former priest shot to death in his Clark County home. The coroner identified a single gunshot to the neck that led to Former Reverend John Capparelli’s demise and listed murder as the cause of death.

However, a suspect was not identified immediately. The priest served at the Westfield Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity.

In the 1980s, officials accused of Father Capparelli sexually assaulting teenage boys. The Church permanently removed the Reverend from his duties in 1992 before he was laicized (defrocked).

The priest relocated from New Jersey to Nevada and bought a Henderson home in 2016. During his career, the Reverend served at the Trenton, Paterson, Newark, Camden, and Metuchen dioceses in New Jersey.

Nevada Roman Catholic Church Diocese

In Nevada, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The two dioceses and their Bishops manage more than seventy-six parishes and Catholic schools throughout Nevada (listed below). The Church provides services to thousands of registered Catholics living in sixteen counties.

Nevada Dioceses

Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas
336 Cathedral Way
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Cathedral: Guardian Angel Cathedral
Bishop: George Leo Thomas

Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno
290 S. Arlington Ave
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 348-8619

Nevada Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers are Ready to Help

Our network of lawyers understands how difficult it is to speak out about the despicable acts a shameful clergy member did to you. We know that the Catholic Church in all its power will push back, saying that nothing that happened to you was wrong.

However, with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, working on your behalf, you will not go it alone. We will work aggressively to ensure all responsible hear your shocking story when we present evidence at trial or settle your case.

Let us start working on your lawsuit today. Moving forward and beginning the process can help ensure no one else is ever sexually abused by a religious authority again.

We will obtain a monetary recovery on your behalf while protecting your rights. Contact us now at (888) 424-5757. All information you share during an initial, free consultation concerning your case will remain confidential.