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	New Lawsuit against Archdiocese By Elizabeth Braun TMJ4 November 4, 2009 http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/69246847.html ST. FRANCIS - In a newly-filed lawsuit SNAP alleges former Archbishop Rembert Weakland kept evidence about priests who sexually assaulted children inside a secret vault at the Cousin's Center. The lawsuit was filed by a man who says he was molested by Father Lawrence Murphy. Murphy is suspected of abusing hundreds of children at the School for the Deaf in St. Francis. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests claims Weakland kept the charges against Father Murphy in a secret archive. SNAP's Peter Isely says, "We have proof that not only did Archbishop Weakland know about the secret archive but used it in order to cover up crimes against children that were being committed by Father Murphy." SNAP released copies of internal memos between high-ranking clergy dating back to 1996. One states that information about Murphy 'will be kept in the secret archives of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.' SNAP claims Weakland lied during a 2008 deposition when he denied the secret files existed. The group says hiding the files allowed Father Murphy to continue molesting children for years. SNAP hopes when the next Milwaukee Archbishop is named the vault will be opened and the documents will be turned over to prosecutors. A spokesperson for the archdiocese says any document related to allegations of child sex abuse by priests has been opened to civil authorities.
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