Update: Father James Schook Found Guilty of Abusing Kids in Kentucky

Days after Pope Francis publicly asked forgiveness for all of the priests who have sexually abused children across the world, it would seem that forgiveness cannot substitute for criminal punishment.

The sexual abuse trial of former Catholic priest Rev. James Schook started in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to WDRB News, the terminally-ill 65 year-old is charged with sodomizing two teens in the 1970s while he was an assistant pastor at Saint Thomas More Church in the Archdiocese of Lousiville.

UPDATE: Father James Schook was found guilty of sodomy charges by a jury on April 16, 2014.   According to WDRB, “the jury convicted Louisville priest Reverend James Schook on three counts of sodomy and one count of indecent or immoral practices with another, all involving one victim.”

Schook’s sentencing is being held today, and the maximum allowable sentence is 25 years.

WDRB theorizes that the defense attorneys representing the dying priest did not call any witnesses because they hoped the jury would consider the fact that the victims waited decades before reporting the abuse they experienced at his hands.

If you have information about  Father James Schook, please do not hesitate to email us or call 503-306-0224.