S.C. Catholics outline plan to release names of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse

The Catholic church in South Carolina plans to release in early 2019 the names of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors since 1950.

The state's diocese, the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, said in a statement Friday evening that files are now being reviewed before the release.

Newer accusations, those made since a class action settlement was reached in 2007, are now being reviewed to be added to the list, according to the diocese.

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The statement did not detail the criteria for what is a credible accusation and did not include an estimate for the number of priests who would be identified.

The state's top Catholic, Bishop Robert Guglielmone said in the statement that the church was committed to transparency. The list is expected "no later than mid-February 2019," the statement said.

"Releasing the names of those credibly accused is another step in the healing process for all who have been harmed by priests," Gugliemone said in the statement.