What Would Have Happened If the LA Times and AP Didn’t Intervene?

By Joelle Casteix
Worthy Adversary
December 30, 2012

http://theworthyadversary.com/1635-what-would-have-happened-if-the-la-times-and-ap-didnt-intervene

What would have happened if the LA Times and The Associated Press did not intervene in the court battle over the Los Angeles Archdiocese clergy sex abuse documents?

My guess? The worst possible outcome.

Hon. Dickran M. Tevrizian, who proposed that the names of criminals who covered up for clergy sex offenders be redacted from soon-to-be-public files

What do I mean by that? The document redactions—that would have allowed church officials guilty of covering up for clergy sex offenders to remain unpunished, unexposed and unaccountable for their crimes—would probably have sailed in under the radar. Victims (and their attorneys) who fought for years to get justice and accountability would have been given the proverbial “sand-pounding hammer” and LA criminals similar to Philadelphia’s Msgr. William Lynn would be off scot-free.

Let’s hope that more media organizations—as well as Catholic justice and advocacy groups—step up and also demand the accountability that Los Angeles’ victims have been fighting for for decades. Let’s also hope that Judge Emilie Elias rules for victims and public safety (remember, many of the names that could be redacted belong to people still in positions of power).