Archdiocese of Milwaukee to Release Dolan Testimony, Other Documents in Child Sex Abuse Scandal

By Mahsa Saeidi
NY1
April 4, 2013

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/179849/archdiocese-of-milwaukee-to-release-dolan-testimony--other-documents-in-child-sex-abuse-scandal

[with video]

Cardinal Timothy Dolan's handling of the child sex abuse scandal that rocked the Catholic Church will soon be public.

The cardinal's deposition is among 3,000 documents being released on July 1.

All of the documents relate to the alleged sexual abuse of children by clergy in Milwaukee.

"I think the Catholic Church has learned a very painful lesson on what not to do in terms of dealing with sexual abuse," said Joseph Zwilling, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of New York.

Prior to coming to the city, Dolan was Archbishop in Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009.

In February, the cardinal was deposed in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case involving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

"The cardinal was very open with the lawyers, answered all of their questions, and said at that time that he wanted people to know what happened," Zwilling said.

The archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection two years after Dolan left, as it dealt with about 500 sex abuse claims.

The allegation is that large sums of money were kept hidden from victims seeking claims.

Victims' advocates have been seeking the release of the documents for several years.

The advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) released a statement that said, "We are grateful this deposition is being made public. It's a shame it takes civil litigation and brave victims to force Dolan to answer for his wrongdoing," the group said in a statement.

Zwilling said that Dolan's record as the Archbishop of Milwaukee is exemplary.

The sexual abuse of minors, Zwilling said, is a societal problem not just confined to the church.

The hope now is that the church can use the lessons its learned to be a model for other institutions.

"How to be compassionate towards the victims. How to handle those people who do these terrible crimes," Zwilling said.

Zwilling said that despite what may have been the case in the past, victim's who come forward now will be received warmly and lovingly.