BishopAccountability.org
	Bridgeport Diocese Files on Pedophile Priests Reveal Dismissive Attitude by Catholic Bishops Hartford Courant December 7, 2009 http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-church-abuse-documents.art.artdec08,0,1201769.story BRIDGEPORT -- At one level, it's easy to understand why the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport fought so hard for seven years to keep sealed the files of lawsuits — settled in 2001 — alleging sexual abuse of minors by at least seven of the diocese's priests. The thousands of pages of documents include heartbreaking descriptions of alleged rape and other sexual abuses of children by priests. They also show that former Bridgeport bishops Walter Curtis and Edward Egan, later archbishop of New York and a cardinal, for too long ignored or did not believe or failed to aggressively investigate the complaints against priests by parents of victims. In many cases the bishops transferred priests to keep them out of trouble. On Dec. 1, the diocese finally complied with a Superior Court order to release the documents to the public — an order sought in 2002 by four newspapers, including The Courant. "Very old news," the diocese said in a statement. Perhaps, but it's a story that needs to be told in full for the protection of children going forward. That's why the diocese should release the 1,500 pages that it insists are still privileged. Catholics should not be afraid to read the released documents. The diocese and parishioners can benefit only if the dark past is exposed and old habits purged. Release of the documents should be the occasion for a review of state child-protection laws to see if any improvements are needed.
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