Rapid City Diocese publishes list of accused priests

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – The Rapid City Diocese has published a list of 21 priests credibly accused of sexual abuse.

The list includes priests who were credibly accused while in schools, churches, hospitals and on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations from 1951 to 2018.

Bishop Robert Gruss wrote in a letter posted on the diocese’s website that publishing the list is “essential in restoring the trust that has been broken as the result of the misconduct of a few.”

The 21 priests include those who were permanently assigned to the diocese as well as those who served in the diocese but fell under control of a different bishop or religious order.

All are dead except for John Praveen, a priest who awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in February to sexually touching a 13-year-old girl.

AP-WF-03-19-19 2330GMT