LOS ANGELES (CA)
The New York Times
By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD
Published: April 18, 2006
LOS ANGELES, April 17 —The Supreme Court refused on Monday to hear an appeal by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles to withhold personnel records of two former priests involved in an investigation of child molesting.
The decision, issued without comment, requires the archdiocese to comply with a subpoena from District Attorney Steve Cooley, who has sought letters to the former priests and notes from counseling sessions conducted by the church.
Cardinal Roger Mahony had argued that the subpoenas were an unconstitutional intrusion on private church affairs.
Mr. Cooley said in a statement, "The U.S. Supreme Court's denial to review this matter establishes an important principle that evidence of criminality be made available to appropriate authorities."
The archdiocese, in a statement, called the ruling disappointing.