Reports of Sexual Abuse Involving Priest May Be Made Public, by Kyra Jenkins, KEYT [California], June 19, 2007

Reports of Sexual Abuse Involving Priest May Be Made Public

By Kyra Jenkins
KEYT [California]
June 19, 2007

http://www.keyt.com/news/local/8072752.html

Confidential church files of Roman Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse may be made public. Even if the clerics were never charged criminally and lawsuits over the alleged abuse were settled out of court, reports could become public knowledge.

A judge rules that the state's interest in protecting children from abuse outweighs a priest's right to privacy. Attorney Tim Hale represented many of the 25 children who accused nine Franciscan priest of molesting them at the now defunct St. Anthony's seminary in Santa Barbara.

Last August the plaintiff's received a monetary settlement of about $28 million, following four years of legal wrangling.

Although an appeal is expected, a Spokesperson for the Francisan Province of Santa Barbara tells KEY News, "I'm glad to hear that the files may be made public. The sooner there's a final settlement the better-the financial toll has been costly."

During his ruling LA County Superior Court Judge Peter D. Lichtman noted that Santa Barbara appears to have had one of the highest concentrations of clergy pedophiles in the United States, with 41 serving the county since 1960.

KEY News Reporter Joe Gehl reports more details from the lawyer on this case.