Oakland Diocese names 45 accused of sexual abuse

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Catholic Diocese of Oakland has released the names of 45 priests, deacons and religious brothers who officials say are “credibly accused” of sexually abusing minors.

The San Francisco Chronicle said Monday that Oakland’s list goes back to 1962 — when the diocese was founded. None of the men are currently in the ministry. Of the 45 people named, 20 were priests.

Oakland is the latest in a series of dioceses across the country to release names amid a scandal involving pedophile priests and decades of church cover-ups.

Most of the listed abuse dates from the 1960s into the 1980s. Diocese officials say there have been no credible accusations of abuse since 1988, but acknowledge that the list may grow in the coming months.