PUEBLO (CO)
The Pueblo Chieftain
By PATRICK MALONE
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
The Catholic Diocese of Pueblo has denied a request by The Pueblo Chieftain to inspect files it keeps on clergy accused of molestation.
In a letter received by the newspaper on Tuesday, Bishop Arthur Tafoya denied the request to make the files on Roncalli High School, Marianist Brother William Mueller and former priest Andrew Burke available.
"(The files) are primarily personnel records and therefore are confidential and entitled to the right of privacy," the bishop wrote. "The Diocese of Pueblo, just as any private employer, must restrict access to the personnel records."
The bishop's letter was in response to a Nov. 25 request from the newspaper to review files related to Roncalli High School, Mueller, Burke and Bishop Charles Buswell, who headed the diocese during the alleged acts of abuse.