'We have now received over a hundred reports': AG Josh Kaul gives update on inquiry into clergy abuse

By: Amanda Becker

Posted: Jul 27, 2021 1:32 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In April, Attorney General Josh Kaul announced an inquiry into clergy abuse in the state of Wisconsin. 

On Tuesday, July 25, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, he gave an update on the progress of his inquiry. 

He says he's received over 100 reports so far, either involving sexual assault or institutional response to assault.

Kaul says he, and the Department of Justice, will continue to receive those reports, and he is encouraging people to continue to come forward. 

The review is taking place at the Archdiocese here in Milwaukee as well as Superior, Green Bay, Madison and La Crosse.

Victims, witnesses and church documents are all part of the inquiry.

"The Milwaukee Archdiocese made public that they are declining to cooperate with the major portion of this review," said Kaul. 

A 2020 report on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's website says, "Keeping children safe, responding to abuse survivors and holding perpetrators accountable are priorities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee."

A federal civil lawsuit has also been filed against the Franciscans of the Blessed Virgin Mary this week. 

The lawsuit alleges a pattern of racial discrimination in the treatment of survivors and the placement of offenders. 

The Franciscans are headquartered in Franklin, but the incidents are alleged to have taken place in other parts of the state. Kaul says this is not part of the inquiry.

"The role that my investigators played was putting it all together and to start doing interviews and working in collaboration," said Chisolm. 

He called that a crucial part of the lawsuit. 

The DOJ's inquiry into the archdioceses is ongoing.

Kaul says he does not have a timeframe on when we can expect his inquiry into clergy abuse to be finished. 

He says he wants to be thorough, and he continues to encourage victims to come forward.