The Delaware Department of Justice confirmed Thursday that it has been conducting an investigation of potential criminal conduct engaged in by priests or other personnel of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. This investigation has focused on the acquisition and review of diocesan papers for records of sexual or other abuse. DOJ issued a subpoena on September 11, 2018 for a broad range of diocesan records covering a period of decades.
The purpose of the review is to determine whether there are any prosecutable criminal cases that may have not come to light in previous reviews of information provided by the diocese. The Delaware Department of Justice reviewed some records provided by the diocese in the timeframe of 2002 to 2004, but issued a subpoena approximately seven weeks ago in light of the disclosures in investigations by other jurisdictions.
Delaware DOJ is asking potential victims of abuse by diocesan personnel to contact (302) 577-5293 or ReportAbuse@delaware.gov to provide information to prosecutors and investigators as part of this review.