These 311 N.J. priests, nuns and clergy are accused of sexual misconduct, law firm says.

[MineralMan]

8. Accessories to crimes are often charged with the crime of being accessories.

The very definition of being an "accessory" to a crime is knowledge of the crime and failing to do anything to prevent that crime.

In the case of the RCC, child sexual abuse was often reported to officials of that organization, who took steps to cover up the crime and to send the criminals to a different place where they could commit the same crimes again. So, they often did, again and again.

The deference paid to religious organizations with regard to acting as accessories in sex crimes against children is an enormous scandal. Outrage is the only possible response.

Time after time, the Roman Catholic Church knew of such crimes and did nothing, or simply sent the offenders elsewhere without any assurance that they would not commit similar crimes again. For decades, and even longer, such actions occurred in multiple places and in multiple nations.

And yet, some still make excuses for the organization. What a shameful response to such a horrible thing!