S
stumbler
Guest
By Laura Wides
Associated Press Writer
May 18, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Roman Catholic officials in Orange County knew for years of allegations of sexual misconduct against priests and lay workers but did little to warn parishioners or prevent future abuse, personnel files released Tuesday show.
The private personnel files of the 14 priests and one lay person were released by court order after a judge ruled the information could help the state protect children from abuse.
The hundreds of pages suggest the diocese knew as early as 30 years ago about alleged sexual misconduct among some of its clergy.
In many cases, priests were repeatedly referred for psychological treatment and counseling before finally being barred from the priesthood. Some were not barred but were sent instead to other dioceses.
The decision to release the documents was heralded by the priests’ accusers, who reached a record-breaking $100 million settlement with the Orange County diocese in December after nearly two years of negotiations. As part of that agreement, the diocese agreed not to block release of files on accused priests and lay workers.
“This was a very important and historic decision,” said Ray Boucher, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in Southern California. He said he would appeal the judge’s decision to leave sealed the files of five other priests and three lay teachers who contested release of the documents.
Bishop Tod Brown, who arrived at the diocese in 1998, welcomed disclosure of the files. Most of the allegations in the papers dated from the 1970s and 1980s.
Full article
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This is another sensationalist article wherein earlier policies of confidentiality are now implicitly characterized as hiding law-breakers.
Most of this pre-dates our current bishop.
Associated Press Writer
May 18, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Roman Catholic officials in Orange County knew for years of allegations of sexual misconduct against priests and lay workers but did little to warn parishioners or prevent future abuse, personnel files released Tuesday show.
The private personnel files of the 14 priests and one lay person were released by court order after a judge ruled the information could help the state protect children from abuse.
The hundreds of pages suggest the diocese knew as early as 30 years ago about alleged sexual misconduct among some of its clergy.
In many cases, priests were repeatedly referred for psychological treatment and counseling before finally being barred from the priesthood. Some were not barred but were sent instead to other dioceses.
The decision to release the documents was heralded by the priests’ accusers, who reached a record-breaking $100 million settlement with the Orange County diocese in December after nearly two years of negotiations. As part of that agreement, the diocese agreed not to block release of files on accused priests and lay workers.
“This was a very important and historic decision,” said Ray Boucher, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in Southern California. He said he would appeal the judge’s decision to leave sealed the files of five other priests and three lay teachers who contested release of the documents.
Bishop Tod Brown, who arrived at the diocese in 1998, welcomed disclosure of the files. Most of the allegations in the papers dated from the 1970s and 1980s.
Full article
========================
This is another sensationalist article wherein earlier policies of confidentiality are now implicitly characterized as hiding law-breakers.
Most of this pre-dates our current bishop.