WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A PRIEST OR CHURCH MEMBER?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
WHY WORK WITH LEVY LAW?
- Proven Record of Settlements
- No Fees Ever Unless You Win
- Fast & Free Case Review
- Consultation is 100% Confidential
THE SOUTH CAROLINA CATHOLIC CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting For Survivors Sexually Abused by South Carolina Clergy
The history of sexual abuse involving South Carolina clergy reveals a deeply troubling pattern of misconduct and cover-ups spanning decades. Between 1950 and 2002, dozens of credible sexual abuse allegations were reported involving at least 21 priests and other clergy members. In 2019, the Diocese publicly released a list of 42 South Carolina priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse, shedding further light on the extent of the issue.
At Levy Konigsberg, we are committed to investigating clergy sexual abuse cases in South Carolina and ensuring that survivors receive the justice they deserve. These efforts are vital in addressing the harm caused by abuse and holding religious institutions accountable. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse by clergy in South Carolina, we encourage you to reach out for free legal assistance.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sexual Abuse by South Carolina Clergy
Important events relating to sexual abuse by South Carolina priests and clergy members and the Diocese of South Carolina include the following:
- In January 2007, the Diocese of Charleston announced it had settled child sex abuse claims in South Carolina, allocating up to $12 million for damages. Prior to 2007, the Diocese of Charleston said it had previously paid $2.6 million over the years to settle sexual abuse allegations involving priests and other clergy members, with $642,000 of that covered by insurance companies.
- In 2019, the Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone announced the names of 42 South Carolina priests who were credibly accused of sexual abuse. In Bishop Guglielmone’s published letter, he admitted that the victims of this sexual abuse were “grievously harmed by the betrayal of priests and Church leadership.”
- In January 2021, a woman filed a lawsuit against Frederick Austin McLean, accusing him of sexually abusing her and her sister as children between 1961 and 1966. At the time, McLean was a priest and teacher at St. John Catholic Church and School, where the sisters were students. The lawsuit alleged the church knew about the abuse and covered it up.
- In February 2024, a former altar boy sued the Diocese of Charleston, claiming they failed to protect him from sexual abuse by Father Robert Kelly in the early 1990s. Kelly served St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach from 1990 to 1994.
- In February 2024, a priest Jaime Adolfo Gonzalez-Farias, who most recently served in South Carolina parishes in Newberry and Laurens, was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for transporting a minor for illegal sexual acts. In 2020, he took the child to Florida under the guise of a beach trip, where he exposed himself, attempted sexual assault, showed pornography, and allegedly showered with the victim in South Carolina.
- In January 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled in favor of a survivor of Catholic Church sexual abuse, concluding that the Diocese of Charleston was not entitled to claim the defense of charitable immunity. The case was originally filed in 2018 when a Charleston man sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, claiming two teachers sexually assaulted him while he attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, run by the Diocese, in the 1970s.
List of Credibly Accused in the Diocese of Charleston
In March 2019, the Diocese of Charleston released a list of credibly accused priests who served during various decades:
- Aiken, Roy (deceased)
- Bench, John Jr. (deceased)
- Berberich, Peter (deceased)
- Burn, William (deceased)
- Condon, Eugene (deceased)
- Congro, Basil
- DuMouchel, Raymond (deceased)
- Evatt, Thomas (deceased)
- Goodwin, Justin (deceased)
- Hopwood, Frederick (deceased)
- Lee, Walter Pringle (deceased)
- McLean, Frederick (deceased)
- Moynihan, George Frederick (deceased)
- Murphy, Daniel Francis (deceased)
- Murphy, Joseph (deceased)
- Owens-Howard, James Robert (deceased)
- Ryfinski, Gerald
- Seitz, Paul (deceased)
- Sheedy, Charles (deceased)
- Simonin, John (deceased)
- Vaverek, Hayden
- Williamson, Louis (deceased)
- Dux, John (deceased)
- Gallagher, John (deceased)
- Kelly, Robert Joseph
- Landwermeyer, Francis (deceased)
- Mitchell, John (deceased)
- Park, Augustine “Austin” (deceased)
- Smith, Gabriel “Gabe”
- Spangenberg, Robert (deceased)
- Tierney, Thomas (deceased)
- Castano-Mejia, Juan Carlos
- Collerett, Roger
- Gonzalez-Farias, Jaime
- Johnson, Anthony William (deceased)
- Nyhan, James
- Palatore Belfiore, Cesare
- Sharples, James (deceased)
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES
We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have A Case?
You may have a sexual abuse claim against the Catholic Church if:
- You were sexually abused as a minor or an adult within the Church.
- The abuser was a priest, clergy member, or some other Church volunteer or employee.
- Your abuse occurred at any time in the past.
As with civil sexual abuse cases, claims filed with the bankruptcy settlement fund are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse. Instead, they focus on holding the Archdiocese liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged or convicted of a crime.
Determining whether you have grounds to pursue a claim can be challenging, which is why our team at Levy Konigsberg is readily available to help.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
South Carolina Sexual Abuse Attorneys
The statute of limitations is a law that limits the amount of time you have to start a legal case after something wrong or illegal has happened. Under current South Carolina law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse typically may file a civil lawsuit up until age 27 or three years after the victim realizes that the abuse caused injury–whichever comes later. However, a proposed bill (S 0148) introduced in 2025 offers hope for change. This bill would provide better opportunities for victims to seek justice if passed. If passed, the bill would extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse to age 59 or 8 years from discovery, whichever is later, and open a 1-year revival window to file civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse.
Levy Konigsberg's experienced attorneys can help evaluate claims under these laws, including those for abuse that occurred years or even decades ago, and explain your rights and options.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse by South Carolina Clergy.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy members. Our team is dedicated to providing legal support to survivors and holding accountable those who have committed these crimes. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that the trust placed in religious institutions is restored.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.