The Catholic Diocese of Jackson on March 19 released a list of 37 clergy accused in sexual abuse cases, and one of them was assigned to Louisville Church in the 1970s.
The bishop of the diocese, Joseph Kopacz, publicly apologized during a news conference outside a cathedral in downtown Jackson.
“Every case of abuse represents shattered lives and damaged families and communities,” Kopacz said. “I hope that releasing this list will demonstrate a new level of transparency and a sincere desire to accompany victims of sexual abuse as our God of compassion and justice demands. I apologize to all the victims of abuse, to their families and to the faithful who have been hurt by this scandal.”
According to the release, any clergy member, employee or volunteer found to be abusing minors will be permanently removed from ministry and reported to law enforcement.
The diocese said it provided information about the past abuse allegations to the Mississippi attorney general’s office in 2002, before the current attorney general was elected. The diocese said it gave the attorney general an updated list March 18, 2019.
The clergy linked to the local area was Gerald Swift, of Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, died in 2007 after abuse allegations against him were reported in 2002 for incidents that happened in the late 1970s in Kosciusko.
Swift had assignments in Camden, Kiln and at Sacred Heart in Louisville.
A full list of accused clergy may be found here:
https://jacksondiocese.org/offices/child-protection/clergy-and-religious...
