If you or a loved one was a victim of clergy sexual abuse, we want to help you. The Dioceses of Harrisburg and Philadelphia have recently announced they are setting up victim's compensation funds for those claims barred by Pennsylvania's Statute of Limitations, and other dioceses may follow suit with this Catholic church abuse settlement fund. Whether you were abused recently or many years ago, our team of top-rated attorneys are waiting to hear your story.
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Accepting cases from across the state. You can call us today 24/7 at (844) 777-2529.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims?
Under Pennsylvania state law, victims who experienced sexual abuse as children may bring criminal charges until they reach the age of 50 years old. Victims may bring civil claims until the age of 30. Munley Law handles civil actions.
It is possible that the findings of the extensive grand jury report Pennsylvania may push lawmakers to change the laws on statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases. Our team of lawyers will do everything in our power to see that victims get justice under the law.
Can I file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Catholic Church?
As a survivor of sexual abuse, you deserve justice for the suffering you endured. Legal action will hold the abusers and their enablers accountable and send a message that this abuse will not be tolerated. In this way, we can help ensure that other children and families will not face the same horrors. In addition, we can help secure financial compensation for your emotional suffering as well as any medical treatment, psychological care, and counseling.
In cases of widespread abuse affecting numerous victims over a long period of time, such as those in the church, it is important to look not only at the individuals who committed heinous acts of abuse but also those who participated in covering it up or failed to report the abuse to the proper authorities. We will work with investigators and witnesses to identify all individuals who knew or should have known about the abuse taking place or otherwise created an environment where this behavior was allowed to continue.
Is the Catholic Church the Only Perpetrator of Clergy Abuse?
Clergy abuse is not only occurring within the Catholic Church. According to the New York Times, a survey from the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence found that up to 15 percent of clergy members in all religious groups have engaged in some inappropriate sexual conduct.
Who is involved in the Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse?
The list of offenders identified by the Grand Jury include:
A. Gregory Uhrig
Andrew Aloysius Ulincy
Bruno M. Tucci
Charles J. Ruffenach
David A. Soderlund
David Connell
Dennis A. Rigney
Edward George Ganster
Edward R. Graff
Francis J. Fromholzer
Francis Joseph McNelis
Francis T. Gillespie
Gabriel Patil
Gerald Royer
Henry E. Strassner
Henry Paul
J. Pascal Sabas
James Gaffney
Jim Gross
Joseph A. Rock
Joseph A. Zmijewski
Joseph D. Hulko
Joseph Galko
Joseph H. Kean
Michael S. Lawrence
Paul G. Puza
Richard J. Guiliani
Robert G. Cofenas
Ronald Yarrosh
Stephen F. Shigo
Thomas J. Bender
Thomas J. Benestad
Thomas J. Kerestus
Timothy Johnson
William E. Jones
William J. Shields
Can Any Victim Qualify for the Catholic Clergy Abuse Fund?
In November of 2018 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia launched a compensation fund program
for victims of clergy abuse. The stated goal of this fund was to "acknowledge the evil done" to victims abused as children by Catholic clergy. It's part of a statewide initiative to help and compensate victims of the church's abuse. But an entire class of victims is being shut out of the program according to media reports. Nearly a fourth of abuse claims submitted so far to the archdiocese have been rejected because the church claims the assailants belonged to independent Catholic religious orders such as Franciscans, Augustinians or Jesuits. If you want to make a claim but are unsure if you qualify, please talk to an experienced attorney to review your options.
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His calm and assuring personality helped me feel confident through the whole process, he even went so far as to assist my divorce attorney with issues that had nothing to do with the case he himself was handling. I only actually met with Al face to face a couple of times, but I feel like he is not just an awesome attorney but a good friend who went to bat for me."
- Michael M., Centre County
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