***Article first published by 'NY Post' on Dec. 28, 2019***

The names of over 900 pervy priests were left off Roman Catholic diocesan lists of credibly accused child sex abusers, according to a disturbing report released Saturday.

Despite releasing the names of nearly 5,300 priests — including 200 in New Jersey — the church left hundreds of clergy members off the lists put forth by dioceses and religious orders around the country, the Associated Press investigation found.

The figure reflects a comparison of a database kept by the group BishopAccountability.org, along with bankruptcy documents, lawsuits, settlement information, grand jury reports and media accounts.

More than 100 of the former clergy members who didn’t make the lists were charged with sex crimes such as rape, solicitation and receiving or viewing child pornography.
Another 400 names the AP documented belong to clergy who served in dioceses that have not released any lists.

“There are a lot of holes in these lists,” said Terence McKiernan, co-founder of BishopAccountability.org. “There’s still a lot to do to get to actual, true transparency.”

Church officials say that if a clergy member doesn’t admit guilt, accusations have to weigh releasing a name against harming the reputation of those who may have been falsely accused.

By naming accused priests, they are also vulnerable to lawsuits from those who maintain their innocence.