KUSI
October 26, 2010
http://www.kusi.com/story/13385902/lenderman-pkg
[unsealed documents]
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It has been three years since a multi-million dollar settlement by the Diocese over sexual abuse allegations and now many more cases are still making headlines.
In 2007, the Diocese settled scores of claims against its Priests to the tune of almost 200-million dollars. As part of the settlement, sealed Church files were to be made public after being reviewed by a judge. Sunday, lawyers for the plaintiffs released thousands of documents that showed how the Diocese quietly moved some "problem Priests" from Parish to Parish.
Today members of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) called upon Bishop Robert Brohm to release some 2-thousand pages of records which the organization says are still being fought over in court.
The group also urged Bishop Brohm to personally get involved in the removal of a still active Priest, Father Gustavo Benson, whom they claim is at a church in Ensenada, Mexico.
Father Benson, according to SNAP, pleaded no contest to molesting two boys in San Bernardino and then was moved to Mexico.
The released documents also include files on Reverend Anthony Rodriguez. According to the documents, he was one of the most prolific abusers in the Diocese, but against the recommendations of the psychiatric facility that treated him, Rodriguez was put back into the Ministry.
The Diocese issued a short statement today saying it has "voluntarily complied with all aspects of the 2007 settlement," adding "it is the ongoing hope of the Diocese that all victims will continue on the path toward healing and reconciliation."
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