Catholic Diocese of Springfield accused in federal lawsuit of concealing child sex abuse

In a federal lawsuit filed by 11 individuals, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and its Bishop Edward Rice in his official capacity are accused of enabling and concealing sexual abuse of minors by employees that took place over decades.

Filed Sept. 12 in U.S. District Court's Western District of Missouri, the lawsuit demands $75 million for the victims, who allege they experienced sexual abuse in the 1980s and 1990s. The lawsuit names seven different priests and clergy, only one of whom appears on the diocese's published list of clergy with allegations of abuse, which was last updated September 2023.

"The Diocese and Bishop did not act in any manner to protect the young children of its parishes, churches, community, and other organizations within its (area of operation)," the complaint filed in court reads. "To the contrary, the Bishop and Diocese engaged in several decades of intentional misconduct in turning a blind eye to the sexual abuse of its priests and other employees."

In a statement issued Sept. 16, the diocese said it takes these allegations seriously and will make no further comment to respect the process of the courts. The diocese has a Safe Environment Policy and Procedures in place that it said it aimed at protecting children and reconciling with those harmed by the church.

"As a precaution, all clergy, employees, and volunteers, who are accused of abuse or misconduct involving minors or vulnerable adults, may be placed on temporary administrative leave by the Diocese," the statement read. "The presumption of innocence, which is also set out in the Charter, should be accorded to those who are presently accused."

The lawsuit also accuses the diocese and bishop of fraud by publicly representing clergy as "men of excellent character" while knowing of the sexual abuse occurring. According to court documents, the lawsuit claims that the diocese had a practice of moving perpetrating priests around to avoid penalties and sending priests who had abused children to the Servants of the Paraclete or other treatment facilities for perpetrating and sexually deviant priests before returning them to ministry.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims the diocese and bishop failed or refused to take reports by parishioners and employees of the abusers even after the website was created encouraging allegations of sexual abuse to be brought forth. Rice has served as the diocese's bishop since 2016.

The lawsuit recounts alleged abuse of children as young as 5 years old at churches in Springfield, Kimberling City, Poplar Bluff, Malden, Neosho, Advance, Joplin and Carthage.

According to lawsuit documents, plaintiffs' accounts of abuse include clergy members kissing, fondling, sodomizing, raping and forcing children to have sex with each other. In some instances, children allegedly were given wine before being abused.

All 11 plaintiffs, three of whom are female, are represented by attorney Rebecca Randles of Kansas City, who has represented numerous other victims of childhood abuse particularly at Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch and Boarding School.