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Priest Abuse In North Carolina

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North Carolina’s Catholic Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh released lists of priests facing credible abuse allegations. These priests have been accused of child sexual abuse. Between the two dioceses, the lists named more than 40 abusive priests in North Carolina. Lawmakers reacted to the news of widespread abuse by passing legislation to extend the legal rights of victims.

Were You Abused by a Priest in North Carolina?

You May Have Rights to Legal Compensation

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North Carolina’s Catholic Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh released lists of priests facing credible abuse allegations. These priests have been accused of child sexual abuse. Between the two dioceses, the lists named more than 40 abusive priests in North Carolina. Lawmakers reacted to the news of widespread abuse by passing legislation to extend the legal rights of victims.

Were You Abused by a Priest in North Carolina?

You May Have Rights to Legal Compensation

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North Carolina Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Numerous survivors in North Carolina have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Catholic priests and clergy members. The most recent incidents of abuse occurred in the 1990s.

The Roman Catholic dioceses in North Carolina have also been accused of covering up abuse allegations.

Survivors have found justice and compensation by filing clergy abuse lawsuits against these dioceses.

1998 | Charlotte Diocese Settles Two Abuse Lawsuits

In the 1990s, two brothers accused the former priest Damion Jacques Lynch of sexual abuse. One of the survivors was 14 years old at the time of the abuse. Lynch was eventually removed from ministry following these accusations. 

The Diocese of Charlotte settled two lawsuits with the family of the survivors in Watauga County Superior Court.

2010 | Survivor Sues Diocese & Catholic Order

In 2008, a survivor accused Robert Yurgel, a member of the Capuchin Franciscan religious order, of abuse. The priest was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. According to the survivor, Yurgel abused him from 1997 to 1999 at St. Matthew Church and Our Lady of Consolation in Charlotte. The abuse also took place at St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

In 2009, Yurgel pled guilty to a felony second-degree sexual offense. He served nearly eight years in prison. In 2010, the Capuchin Franciscans and the Diocese of Charlotte settled a civil lawsuit related to Yurgel’s abuse.

2021 | Charlotte Diocese Accused Of Cover-Up

In November 2021, a clergy abuse survivor filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Charlotte. The plaintiff alleges he was abused by Donald Baker, a priest with the diocese. The plaintiff was seven years old when the alleged abuse began. The abuse continued from 1985 to 1989. The lawsuit accuses the Diocese of Charlotte of knowingly failing to stop the abuse. 

In 1994, Baker left the ministry. A diocesan spokesperson confirmed that Baker appeared on a 2019 list of credibly accused Catholic clergy members.

Clergy Abuse Settlements In North Carolina

In recent years, Catholic dioceses across the United States have paid financial settlements to clergy abuse victims. In North Carolina, the Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh have reportedly paid millions of dollars to settle claims.

Over the course of seven decades, the Diocese of Raleigh reportedly paid $2,717,750 in settlements. According to an analysis of the diocese’s annual reports, the Diocese of Charlotte paid more than $2 million in settlements in just 15 years. The Diocese of Charlotte paid an additional $1.2 million in “safe environment measures” during this time as well.

Child Sex Abuse Statutes Of Limitations In North Carolina

In November 2019, North Carolina lawmakers signed Senate Bill 199 (S199) into law. S199 is also commonly known as the SAFE Child Act. The SAFE Child Act significantly expanded the rights of child sexual abuse and sexual assault survivors.

To benefit survivors of child sex abuse in the state of North Carolina, the SAFE Child Act includes the following provisions:

  • S199 extended the legal deadline for civil lawsuits.
  • S199 opened a two-year “look back” window. This window allowed any survivor of child sexual abuse to file a civil claim, regardless of when the abuse took place.
  • S199 allows survivors of abuse to file civil claims within two years of a criminal felony conviction of a perpetrator. This provision is useful for survivors whose claim is filed past the legal deadline or after the “look back” window closes.
  • S199 extended the legal deadline for certain misdemeanor crimes of abuse.

A statute of limitations (SOL) is a legal deadline. SOLs vary based on the jurisdiction, the crime and the intended legal action (i.e., criminal charges versus a civil claim).

In North Carolina, a survivor of abuse must follow the appropriate statute of limitations for the specific crime and type of legal action they are pursuing. Criminal charges go by a different statute than civil claims.

Civil Statutes For Child Sex Abuse In North Carolina

In North Carolina, survivors of child sexual abuse may file a civil lawsuit against their abuser any time before they reach 28 years of age. Prior to the passing of the SAFE Child Act, the civil statute of limitations on sexual abuse in North Carolina was three years. Survivors had to file a lawsuit before they reached 21 years of age.

S199 also included another civil statute that affects survivors of childhood sexual abuse. If an abuser is criminally convicted, a survivor may file a civil lawsuit against that abuser within two years of the conviction. This provision of the law may give some survivors, over the age of 28, a second chance at civil action.

You May Have New Legal Rights

Speak With Our Lawyers About North Carolina’s Legal Window

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North Carolina’s “Look Back” Window

On January 1, 2020, North Carolina opened a two-year “look back” window for survivors of child sexual abuse. This “look back” window was a provision of S199. During this window, all survivors of child sexual abuse were eligible to file a civil lawsuit, regardless of the age of the case.

North Carolina’s “look back” window closed on December 31, 2021.

Criminal Statutes For Child Sex Abuse In North Carolina

In North Carolina, there is no time limit on any felony criminal charges. Most sexual offenses are felony offenses in North Carolina, including rape and the rape of a minor.

List Of Accused Clergy In North Carolina

This list includes North Carolina priests credibly accused of abuse. Some additional clergy members facing abuse allegations can also be found on the list. However, this list does not include church staff members, volunteers or parishioners accused of sexual abuse. It also does not include members of other religious orders outside of the Catholic Church.

If you were abused by a clergy member in North Carolina, we can help you seek justice. Taking an abuser to court is not an easy decision, but it can have positive repercussions for a survivor and prevent additional victimization. Consult our experienced legal team today and learn more about your rights as a survivor of abuse.

Survivors May Be Eligible For Compensation

Learn About Filing a Lawsuit in North Carolina

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If you are unable to find a name in our North Carolina list of accused Catholic priests, consider searching our nationwide database of accused clergy members. The priest you are looking for may be listed in another state or diocese.

However, you may still have legal options available, even if your abuser is not listed in our database. Allegations against the abuser may not have been investigated yet. Speak with our experienced lawyers today to learn more about your legal options.

North Carolina Priest Abuse Victim Resources

There are organizations and programs all across the state of North Carolina that offer resources to victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault. If you are a survivor of abuse, you are not alone.

CountyFacility NamePhone Number(s)
AlamanceCrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resources Center, Inc.Hotline: 336-228-0360
Office: 336-228-0813
AlexanderThe Shelter Home of Caldwell County (SHCC)Hotline: 828-758-0888
AlleghanyD.A.N.A (Domestic Abuse is NOT Acceptable) ServicesHotline: 336-372-DANA (3262)
Office: 336-372-3462
AnsonAnson County Domestic Violence Coalition (ACDVC)Hotline: 704-690-0362
Office: 704-694-4499
AsheA Safe Home for Everyone (A.S.H.E.) Hotline: 336-246-5430
Office: 336-982-8851
AveryOASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter) Hotline: 828-504-0911
Office: 828-785-5249
BeaufortREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
BertieRoanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)Office: 252-332-1933
BladenFamilies First, Inc.Hotline: 910-641-0444
BrunswickRape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-392-7460
Office: 910-754-7949
BuncombeOur VOICE, Inc.Hotline: 828-255-7576
Office: 828-252-0562
BurkeOptions of Burke CountyHotline: 828-438-9444
CabarrusEsther House of Stanly County, IncHotline: 828-635-8850
CaldwellThe Shelter Home of Caldwell County (SHCC)Hotline: 828-635-8850
CamdenAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-338-5338
CarteretCarteret County Rape Crisis ProgramHotline: 252-725-4040
Office: 252-504-3668
CaswellCrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resources Center, Inc.Hotline: 336-228-0360
Office: 336-694-4250
CatawbaFamily Guidance CenterHotline: 828-302-6952
Office: 828-322-1400
ChathamSecond Bloom of Chatham and Chatham Family Violence Prevention ServicesHotline: 919-545- STOP (7867)
CherokeeREACH of Cherokee CountyHotline: 828-837-8064
Office: 828-837-9631
ChowanAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-482-9918
ClayREACH of Clay CountyHotline: 1-828-389-0797
ClevelandCleveland County Abuse Prevention Council, Inc.Hotline: 704-481-0043
Office: 704-487-9325
ClevelandPhoenix Counseling CenterHotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
ColumbusFamilies First, Inc.Hotline: 910-641-0444
CravenPromise PlaceHotline: 252-635-7096
Office: 252-636-3381
CumberlandRape Crisis of Cumberland CountyHotline: 910-485-7273
CurrituckAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-453-8116
DareOuter Banks HotlineHotline: 252-473-3366
Office: 252-473-5121
DavidsonFamily Services of Davidson County, Inc.Hotline: 336-243-1934
Office: 336-249-0237
DavieDavie Center for Violence PreventionHotline: 336-751-HELP (4357)
Office: 336-751-3450
DuplinRape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-392-7460
Office: 910-392-7185
DurhamDurham Crisis Response CenterHotline: 919-403-6562
Office: 919-403-9425
Eastern Band of CherokeeThe Ernestine Walkingstick Domestic Violence ShelterHotline: 828-359-6830
EdgecombeMy Sister’s HouseHotline: 252-459-3094
ForsythFamily Services Inc.Hotline: 336-722-4457
Office: 336-722-8173
FranklinSafe SpaceHotline: 919-497-5444
GastonPhoenix Counseling CenterHotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
GatesRoanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)Office: 252-332-1933
GatesAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-338-5338
GrahamN/A*N/A*
GranvilleFamilies Living Violence FreeOffice: 919-693-3579
GreeneREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
GuilfordFamily Service of the PiedmontHotline: 336-273-7273 (Greensboro)
Hotline: 336-889-7273 (High Point)
Office: 336-387-6161
HalifaxHannah’s PlaceHotline: 252-541-2064
Office: 252-541-2037
HarnettSAFE of Harnett County, Inc.Hotline: 910-893-7233
HaywoodREACH of Haywood CountyHotline: 828-456-7898
HendersonSafelightHotline: 828-693-3840
HertfordRoanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)Office: 252-332-1933
HokeHoke County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-875-4494
Office: 910-878-0118
HydeHyde County HotlineHotline: 1-252-925-2500
Office: 252-925-2502
IredellFifth Street MinistriesDiakonos, Inc.Office: 704-872-4045
JacksonREACH of Macon CountyHotline: 828-586-8969
JohnstonHarbor, Inc.Hotline: 919-631-5478
Office: 919-938-3566
JonesPromise PlaceHotline: 252-635-7096
Office: 252-448-1069
LeeHAVEN in Lee CountyHotline: 919-774-8923
LenoirREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
LincolnPhoenix Counseling Center
Hotline: 855-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
McDowellNew HOPE of McDowellHotline: 828-652-6150
Office: 828-652-8538
MaconREACH of Macon County
Hotline: 828-369-5544
MadisonMy Sister’s PlaceHotline: 828-649-2446
Office: 828-649-2582
MartinREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
MecklenburgSafe Alliance, Inc.Hotline: 980-771-4673
Office: 704-332-9034
MitchellMitchell County SafePlace, Inc.Hotline: 828-765-4044
Office: 828-765-4015
MontgomeryEsther House of Stanly County, IncHotline: 704-961-7500
MooreFriend to FriendHotline: 910-947-3333
NashMy Sister’s HouseHotline: 252-459-3094
New HanoverRape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-392-7460
Office: 910-392-7185
NorthamptonRoanoke Chowan S.A.F.E. (Services for Abused Families with Emergencies)Office: 252-332-1933
OnslowOnslow Women’s Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-347-4000
Office: 910-238-2941
OrangeOrange County Rape Crisis CenterHotline: 919-967-7273
Office: 919-968-4647
PamlicoPromise PlaceHotline: 252-635-7096
Office: 252-745-9439
PasquotankAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-338-5338
PenderRape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.Hotline: 910-392-7460
Office: 910-803-2111
PerquimansAlbemarle HopelineHotline: 252-338-3011
Office: 252-338-5338
PersonSafe Haven of Person CountyHotline: 336-599-7233
Office: 336-330-0331
PittREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
PolkSteps to H.O.P.E., Inc.Hotline: 828-894-2340
RandolphRandolph County Family Crisis CenterHotline: 336-629-4159 (Asheboro)
Hotline: 336-434-5579 (Archdale)
Office: 336-610-1750
RichmondNew Horizons: Life and Family ServicesHotline: 910-997-4840
Office: 910-997-4448
RobesonRape Crisis Center of Robeson CountyHotline: 910-739-6278
RockinghamHelp Inc. Center Against ViolenceHotline: 336-342-3332
Office: 336-342-3331
RowanFamily Crisis Council of Rowan, Inc.Hotline: 704-636-4718 ext. 1
RutherfordFamily Resources of Rutherford CountyOffice: 828-247-1440
SampsonU Care, Inc.Hotline: 910-596-0931
ScotlandDomestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center of Scotland CountyHotline: 910-276-6268
Office: 910-276-5505
StanlyEsther House of Stanly County, IncHotline: 704-961-7500
StokesDomestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs
Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)		Hotline: 336-593-9323
Office: 336-593-7011
SurryDomestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs
Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)		Hotline: 336-356-2014
Office: 336-443-4030
SwainSwain-Qualla Safe Inc.Office: 828-488-9038
TransylvaniaSAFE, Inc. of Transylvania CountyOffice: 828-885-7233
TyrrellTyrrell County Inner Banks HotlineHotline: 1-877-429-5526
Office: 252-796-5526
UnionTurning Point, Inc.Hotline: 704-283-7770
Office: 704-283-9150
VanceInfinite Possibilities, Inc.Hotline: 252-425-2492
Office: 252-431-1926
WakeInteractHotline: 919-828-3005
Office: 919-828-7501
WarrenInfinite Possibilities, Inc.Hotline: 252-425-2492
Office: 252-431-1926
WashingtonREAL Crisis InterventionOffice: 252-758-4357
WataugaOASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter) Hotline: 828-262-5035
Office: 828-264-1532
WayneWayne Uplift Resource Association, Inc.Office: 919-735-4262
WilkesN/A*N/A*
WilsonWesley Shelter, Inc.Hotline: 252-291-2344
YadkinDomestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs
Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI)		Hotline: 336-679-2072
Office: 336-849-4070
YanceyFamily Violence Coalition of Yancey CountyHotline: 828-682-0056
Office: 828-678-3436
Source:North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault

*The North Carolina counties of Graham and Wilkes do not have sexual violence programs within the counties as of April 7, 2020. Please call or visit centers in the surrounding counties to seek help. You may also call your local law enforcement agency if you are in danger.

North Carolina Priest Abuse FAQs

What Is The Statute Of Limitations On Priest Sexual Abuse?

In North Carolina, a survivor must file a civil lawsuit against an abusive priest or diocese before they reach the age of 28.

Learn more about child sexual abuse statutes in North Carolina here >

How Do I Report Sexual Abuse By A Priest In North Carolina?

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If you or a suspected victim is in danger, call 911 immediately.

In North Carolina, suspected child abuse—including child sexual abuse and neglect—can be reported to your county Department of Social Services. Additionally, you can contact your local law enforcement agency to report sexual abuse or assault of any kind.

Once you have reported suspected clergy abuse to North Carolina authorities, consider reporting the abuse to the relevant diocese:

  • Report Abuse To The Charlotte Diocese

    Phone: 1-888-630-5929

  • Report Abuse To The Raleigh Diocese

    Office of Child and Youth Protection
    Phone: 1-866-535-SAFE (7233)
    Email: [email protected]

Do I Have To Currently Live In North Carolina To File A North Carolina Priest Abuse Lawsuit?

No. You do not need to live in the state of North Carolina to file a clergy abuse lawsuit there. But, there must be some legal connection between the case and the state of North Carolina. Some examples of legal connections include:

  • The abuse occurred in North Carolina.
  • The responsible organization is headquartered in North Carolina.

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Ron Meneo, Managing Partner at Meneo Law Group.

Meneo Group managing partner: Ron Meneo

Ron Meneo is the managing partner of The Meneo Law Group. With more than 40 years of experience, he represents clients across the country on a variety of complex legal matters, including personal injury due to institutional sexual abuse, unsafe pharmaceutical drugs and other practice areas. He is a recipient of Martindale-Hubbell’s prestigious AV® Preeminent Rating. He has also served as an editor and contributor for several legal journals.

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