In October, a law firm’s independent review of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the dioceses of Oakland and San Jose in California found more than 200 clergy accused of abuse.

Seven of the named priests had ties to the St. Louis area that were not previously known to the public, according to SNAP. They include four who worked or studied at St. Louis University; three others were sent to a number of facilities run by local Catholic orders that treat or house troubled priests.

“That’s just one metro area,” Clohessy said, referring to California review’s scope. “Imagine if it were the entire state.”

The St. Louis Archdiocese is not among those that has released lists, but its officials have said they invited and were cooperating with a statewide investigation into allegations of clergy sex crimes launched in August by Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley.

In a letter mailed this week to congregants in the archdiocese, Archbishop Robert Carlson apologized for the abuse scandal that has shaken the church and called for more accountability measures.