Madison-Based Secular Group Calling on Wisconsin Attorney General to Escalate Clergy Abuse Investigation

Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 -- 3:00 PM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) A Madison-based secular group is calling on Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to escalate a statewide review of clergy sex abuse that launched last year.

According to Danielle Kaeding with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the request follows the release of names of nearly two dozen clergy by the Catholic Diocese of Superior, which it says have had credible claims of sexually abusing minors made against them.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocates for separation of church and state, sent a Dec. 1 letter to Kaul asking him to increase resources for the investigation after the release of names.

"Given these revelations self-reported by the Superior Diocese, we believe that re-opening an independent investigation would potentially unearth more clergy abuse that has harmed so many, and is in order," wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, co-presidents of the foundation.

A survivor advocacy group said in August that the Wisconsin Department of Justice downgraded its statewide investigation to a review, which the foundation says stripped legal resources to conduct a full investigation.

"We are saying that they should use every resource at their disposal to investigate these claims of abuse in the state of Wisconsin," Gaylor said. "Because, otherwise, they'll be covered up."

Last year, Kaul launched a statewide independent review of reported abuse by clergy and leaders of faith organizations. In April of this year, Kaul said officials had received 204 reports that led to criminal charges in one case.

The list of names from the Catholic Diocese of Superior brings the total number of individuals accused statewide to nearly 180. Kaul told Wisconsin Public Radio that claims the state has downgraded its investigation are untrue.

He said there’s been no change in the state’s approach to its review or the resources they’re devoting to the inquiry. With each report received, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has a multidisciplinary team that includes an investigator, prosecutor and victim advocate who decide how best to follow up on information.

While he said the DOJ could always use more resources, Kaul said justice officials are diligently reviewing reports.

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