A problem nationwide.(pedophilia and sexual misconduct by Roman Catholic priests)(Brief Article) From: U.S. News & World Report | Date: April 22, 2002 | COPYRIGHT 2002 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Pedophilia and sexual misconduct by Roman Catholic priests first attracted national attention in Lafayette, La., in 1984, when criminal and civil charges were filed against the Rev. Gilbert Gauthe, who pleaded guilty to molesting 11 boys. In the 18 years since, sexual allegations have been leveled at some 1,200 priests in the United States, indicating a widespread pattern of abuse--and of coverup by the church hierarchy.

Since January alone, several dozen of the nation's...