July 31, 2005

Joliet diocese wants priest's documents sealed

JOLIET (IL)
Daily Southtown

Sunday, July 31, 2005

By Ted Slowik
Special to the Daily Southtown

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet is again asking a court to bar the release of documents that could shed light on how church officials responded to allegations of clergy sexual abuse.

The diocese is asking a DuPage County judge to issue a protective order that would shield the personnel file of former priest and convicted sex offender Ed Stefanich from public view.

Judge Stephen Culliton is expected to rule on the request Aug. 8.

The diocese is arguing that failure to obtain a protective order would dissuade other victims of clergy sexual abuse from coming forward, and that the privacy of others would be violated.

"The absence of a protective order could have (a) chilling effect and discourage parishioners from logging complaints or writing to the bishop regarding a variety of sensitive issues," diocese attorney James Byrne wrote in a motion.

Posted by kshaw at July 31, 2005 08:22 AM