Buried deep in the hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits filed against Catholic priests lies a startling, little-known detail: At least a dozen clerics accused of molesting minors lived with children for years, often serving as legal parents or guardians to boys who called the rectory home.

Part One

Accused priests took in minors
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has found four priests in Washington, later removed from ministry for alleged sexual abuse, who had boys living with them in church-owned properties.
- The 11 abuse cases the P-I examined

Part Two

'Adoption' by priest too good to be true
For years, Ariel Ariza believed that his name was Ariel Mitchell. It evoked the day that the Rev. James Mitchell arrived in his village in Colombia. And, he says, it reminded him of five years of sexual abuse.
- Man says sex with priest began at 11

Followup Stories

With abuse came theft from church
Recently defrocked Seattle priest John Cornelius made headlines because of accusations of sexual abuse. Less known is the fact that Cornelius diverted thousands of dollars of church money for personal expenses. (Published Oct. 30, 2004)

Archdiocese hired lawyer to reach out to accusers in sex scandal
Some local victims of priest abuse tell the P-I that the Seattle Archdiocese used mercenary bargaining tactics to coerce them into accepting lowball settlements or trading their silence for free therapy. (Published Sept. 27, 2004)

'Code of silence' among priests shields abusers
The Rev. Lawrence Minder broke an unspoken vow when he told parishioners that a priest had once abused him: Thou Shalt Not Accuse Fellow Clergy. (Published Sept. 23, 2004)