South Dakota Attorneys Investigating Sexual Assault Claims Against the Roman Catholic Church Dioceses
Priests, bishops, pastors, brothers, and other authority figures have sexually molested many children and teenagers raised in religious households. These predators broke the spiritual bond between the Church and the parishioner that caused the victim a lifetime of struggle and unwarranted guilt.
The survivors often face years of sexual harassment and threats or repeated victimization by the religious predator who used fear and intimidation to keep the survivor silent. Other victims of horrific sexual assault live years in denial as the only practical solution for dealing with the unimaginable pain until an unrepressed memory makes keeping quiet more unbearable then staying silent.
It often takes decades for a sexual abuse victim to speak out and identify their assaulter, hoping they will be held accountable. If you are a sexual assault survivor and want justice, the compassionate network of affiliate attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can help.
Our caring team of legal experts will fight to protect your rights and provide a safe place to speak openly about what occurred. Our clergy sexual abuse injury attorneys are here to listen to your story. We will use our comprehensive understanding of South Dakota tort law to present and win your case to ensure the sexual predator faces financial consequences.
Sexual Assault with Clergy Remains a Problem
In March 2019, the Roman Catholic Sioux Falls Diocese identified eleven religious leaders who had been credibly accused of sexually molesting underage minors. Ten of the accused Reverends were from the Jesuit Order. One predator, Father McDonough, served as a school principal and teacher at Saint Martin’s Academy in Rapid City between 1978 and 1983.
Another molester, Father Parshall, was assigned to the Pine Ridge Reservation Holy Rosary Mission / Red Cloud Indian School in 1964.
The Vatican laicized (defrocked) two of the accused priests in 2004, banning them from providing services but still allowed both to remain priests. Multiple accusers had identified both men as ‘sexual predators.’ Church and local law enforcement investigations substantiated every name on the Sioux Falls Diocese list. All accept two of the alleged predatory priests on the lists are known to be dead.
The Devastating Effects of Sexual Assault
Many sexual assault survivors are harmed because the predator slowly eroded the victim’s defenses through various means, including sexual threats, harassment, molestation, indecent exposure, committing lewd acts, or sharing pornographic videos. During the young child or teenager’s developing years, they often experience sleeping disorders, alcohol, and drug abuse, ongoing depression, self-injury, or suicidal ideation.
The youngest sexual abuse survivors, in time, might develop negative eating habits, begin living an over-sexualized lifestyle, or engage multiple forms of risky behavior.
Get Justice Now
Over the last couple of decades, the Roman Catholic Church in the United States has paid out billions of dollars in settlements to victims of sexual assault committed by Parish priests, bishops, reverends, cardinals, brothers, sisters, and others.
In December 2019, Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, stated the church would abolish the cover-up secrecy involving sexual abuse allegations against religious leaders. This new policy put an end to decades of shielding priests and other church employees from criminal punishment and provides a pathway for victims to speak out about what happened and take legal action.
South Dakota Roman Catholic Church Diocese
In South Dakota, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The Dioceses of Sioux Falls and Rapid City, along with their Bishops, manage more than 210 Churches and thirty-three Catholic schools throughout South Dakota (listed below), providing services to thousands of registered Catholics, parochial school children, and catechism students living in sixty-six counties.
South Dakota Dioceses
Diocese of Sioux Falls
523 N Duluth Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 334-9861
Cathedral: Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Ecclesiastical province: Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis
Diocese of Rapid City
606 Cathedral Dr
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 343-3541
Bishop: Sede Vacante
Cathedral: Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
South Dakota Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Are Ready to Help
Our network of affiliate attorneys understands the challenges of speaking out about what a shameful clergy member did to you. We know how powerful the church is at pushing back to say they have done nothing wrong.
However, with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, working on your behalf, you will never deal with the Church or its attorneys alone. We will work aggressively to ensure your shocking story will be heard before settling your case out of court or when presenting evidence in front of a judge and jury.
Let us begin working on your lawsuit today to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before the South Dakota statute of limitations expires. Taking legal action against a clergy member 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 South Dakota Churches:
All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte
All Saints Catholic Parish, Mellette
Annunciation Catholic Parish, Revillo
Assumption Catholic Parish, Wagner
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church, Kenel
Blessed Kateri of Tekakwitha Catholic Parish, Pierre
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bison
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Rapid City
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish, Clark
Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Rapid City
Cathedral of St Joseph Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
Christ the King Catholic Church, Porcupine
Christ the King Catholic Church, Presho
Christ the King Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
Christ the King Catholic Parish, Webster
Epiphany Catholic Parish, Howard
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, Beresford
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Timber Lake
Holy Cross Catholic Parish, Ipswich
Holy Family Catholic Parish, Mitchell
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish, Watertown
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Pine Ridge
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Trail City
Holy Rosary Catholic Parish, Kranzburg
Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, Mitchell
Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Huron
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bonesteel
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bridger
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Rapid City
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Winner
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Stephan
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Watertown
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Webster
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Wood
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish, Flandreau
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Keystone
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish, Ipswich
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Kyle
Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church, Piedmont
Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church, Reva
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Martin
Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Church, Oglala
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Kadoka
Pius XII Newman Center Catholic Parish, Brookings
Risen Savior Catholic Parish, Brandon
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Burke
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dupree
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Morristown
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Philip
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pine Ridge
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Scaffold
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, White River
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Aberdeen
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Eden
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Gettysburg
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Parkston
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Westport
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Yankton
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish, Parkston
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish, Pierre
SS Simon and Jude Catholic Parish, Flandreau
St Agatha Catholic Parish, Howard
St Agnes Catholic Parish, Tabor
St Agnes Catholic Parish, Vermillion
St Ann Catholic Parish, Geddes
St Ann Catholic Parish, Humboldt
St Ann Catholic Parish, Miller
St Anthony Catholic Parish, Selby
St Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Bowdle
St Augustine Catholic Parish, Bowdle
St Benedict Catholic Parish, Yankton
St Bernard Catholic Parish, Redfield
St Boniface Catholic Parish, Scotland
St Catherine Catholic Parish, Fort Thompson
St Catherine Catholic Parish, Howard
St Charles Catholic Parish, Big Stone City
St Charles Catholic Parish, Woonsocket
St Christina Catholic Parish, Parker
St Dominic Catholic Parish, Canton
St Edward Catholic Parish, Canton
St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, Groton
St Francis de Sales Catholic Parish, Clear Lake
St George Catholic Parish, Hartford
St George Catholic Parish, Scotland
St Henry Catholic Parish, Clark
St James Catholic Parish, Chamberlain
St James Catholic Parish, Clark
St John Catholic Parish, Kranzburg
St John Catholic Parish, Plankinton
St John de Britto Catholic Parish, Britton
St John Paul II Catholic Parish, Harrisburg
St John the Baptist Catholic Parish, Rosholt
St John the Baptist Catholic Parish, Tabor
St John the Baptist Catholic Parish, Wagner
St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish, De Smet
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Elk Point
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Eureka
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Faulkton
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Fort Thompson
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Grenville
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Groton
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Mobridge
St Joseph Catholic Parish, Woonsocket
St Joseph the Workman Catholic Parish, Garretson
St Josephine Bakhita Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Parish, Sisseton
St Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Lambert Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Lawrence Catholic Parish, Milbank
St Leo the Great Catholic Parish, Tyndall
St Liborius Catholic Parish, Orient
St Magdalen Catholic Parish, Lennox
St Margaret Catholic Parish, Kimball
St Mark Catholic Parish, Armour
St Martin Catholic Parish, Alexandria
St Mary Catholic Parish, Aberdeen
St Mary Catholic Parish, Clear Lake
St Mary Catholic Parish, De Smet
St Mary Catholic Parish, Dell Rapids
St Mary Catholic Parish, Highmore
St Mary Catholic Parish, Plankinton
St Mary Catholic Parish, Salem
St Mary Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Mary of Mercy Catholic Parish, Alexandria
St Michael Catholic Parish, Clark
St Michael Catholic Parish, Herreid
St Michael Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Nicholas Catholic Parish, Tea
St Patrick Catholic Parish, Beresford
St Patrick Catholic Parish, Huron
St Patrick Catholic Parish, Montrose
St Paul Catholic Parish, Marty
St Paul Catholic Parish, White
St Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish, Armour
St Peter Catholic Parish, Clear Lake
St Peter Catholic Parish, Flandreau
St Peter Catholic Parish, Jefferson
St Peter Catholic Parish, Sisseton
St Peter Catholic Parish, White Lake
St Peter the Apostle Catholic Parish, Platte
St Pius X Catholic Parish, Onida
St Rose of Lima Catholic Parish, Garretson
St Stephen Catholic Parish, Alexandria
St Teresa of Avila Catholic Parish, Beresford
St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Parish, Dakota Dunes
St Therese Catholic Parish, Sioux Falls
St Thomas Apostle Catholic Parish, Ipswich
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, De Smet
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, Madison
St Thomas Aquinas Newman Center Catholic Parish, Aberdeen
St Thomas More Catholic Parish, Brookings
St Thomas More Newman Center Catholic Parish, Vermillion
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish, Faulkton
St Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish, Tyndall
St Wenceslaus Catholic Parish, Tabor
St Wilfrid Catholic Parish, Woonsocket
St William of Vercelli Catholic Parish, Howard
St. Agnes Catholic Church, Cox
St. Agnes Catholic Church, Manderson
St. Agnes Catholic Church, Parmelee
St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Bullhead (Rock Creek)
St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Deadwood
St. Anthony Catholic Church, Buffalo
St. Anthony Catholic Church, Fairfax
St. Anthony Catholic Church, Red Owl
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Draper
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Hot Springs
St. Bernard Catholic Church, McLaughlin
St. Bernard Catholic Church, Red Shirt Table
St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, McIntosh
St. Bridget Catholic Church, Rosebud
St. Catherine Catholic Church, Promise
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, St. Francis
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Sturgis
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Wanblee
St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Rapid City
St. Isidore Catholic Church, Colome
St. Isidore Catholic Church, Ralph
St. James Catholic Church, Edgemont
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Custer
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Ft. Pierre
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, New Underwood
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Cherry Creek
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Faith
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gregory
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mud Butte
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ridgeview
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Spearfish
St. Margaret Catholic Church, Lakeside
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Murdo
St. Mary Catholic Church, Isabel
St. Mary Catholic Church, Lemmon
St. Mary Catholic Church, Lower Brule
St. Mary Catholic Church, Milesville
St. Mary Catholic Church, Reliance
St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Newell
St. Michael Catholic Church, Hermosa
St. Michael Catholic Church, Kennebec
St. Michael Catholic Church, Watauga
St. Patrick Catholic Church, Lead
St. Patrick Catholic Church, Wall
St. Paul Catholic Church, Belle Fourche
St. Peter Catholic Church, Okreek
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hill City
St. Therese Catholic Church, White Horse
St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church, Rapid City
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Mission
St. William Catholic Church, Midland
South Dakota Catholic Schools:
Bishop O’Gorman Catholic School System
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls
Christ the King School, Sioux Falls
Holy Spirit School, Sioux Falls
Holy Trinity School, Huron
Immaculate Conception School, Watertown
John Paul II School, Mitchell
O’Gorman High School, Sioux Falls
O’Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls
Risen Savior Preschool, Brandon
Roncalli Elementary School, Aberdeen
Roncalli Junior High and Senior High School, Aberdeen