Pacific Islands New Area Where Priests Are Sent After They Abuse Children

In the wake of Pope Francis’ trip to Papua New Guinea, the New York Times is reporting on the number of priests accused of sexual abuse of children.  The Times reports that at least 34 priests were removed from their posts in the West and transferred to the Pacific Islands.  In at least 13 of these cases, their superiors knew about their crimes and/or convictions and had them transferred anyway.

This is a very disturbing revelation but it isn’t new, unfortunately.  The Catholic Church has a long history of removing abusive priests and transferring them to remote areas in Ireland, Australia, and the United States unbeknownst to the parishioners in these new locales. 

For instance, the Great Falls Tribune, a Montana newspaper published an article about priest dumping in remote areas of Montana where they continued to abuse children.  According to the article,

“In the case against the Great Falls-Billings Diocese, a majority of those who have come forward with names and locations were allegedly abused on the remote Indian reservations. Off the reservations, victims who have come forward came largely from the former Catholic orphanage in Great Falls, two parishes in Billings and far flung communities in eastern Montana.”

Rev. Edmund Robinson spent 25 years in remote areas of Montana working primarily on Indian reservations.  He served in various capacities including “serving the St. Paul Mission in Hays as the rural school’s basketball coach, algebra teacher, superintendent and, of all things, an ethics instructor.

Some called him “Father Eddy,” others simply called him “Father,” but in 2012 Edmund Robinson’s full name appeared on a list of about 13 clergy accused of molesting young Indian boys and girls on the Fort Belknap reservation from 1947 to 1980.”

As soon as he was ordained in 1955, he was abusing children, both boys and girls.  It was until the 1980’s that Robinson was sent for treatment at the Servants of the Paraclete in New Mexico.  By 2017 Robinson had been accused in lawsuits of the sexual abuse, including rape, of 9 children.

It isn’t clear if Robinson was transferred to these remote areas because of abuse.  What is clear is that the Catholic Church did nothing to protect these children.  Poor, remote areas such as the Pacific Islands are breeding grounds for pedophiles and child abusers.  The Church continues to transfer these priests causing untold suffering. 

We need law enforcement authorities to investigate these matters in the Pacific Islands and in the remote areas of our country.  How did this happen?  Who approved it?  These men should be held accountable. 

If you are in need of reliable clergy abuse representation, reach out to Saunders & Walker, P.A. today at (727) 579-4500. You can also reach us through our convenient online form for a free case evaluation.