Archdiocese Will Release Sex Abuse Files

WUWM
April 4, 2013

http://www.wuwm.com/news/wuwm_news.php?articleid=12197

Local church officials fought the release of the sex abuse files, including content from priest personnel records.

A years long attempt to access church documents related to the sex abuse scandal by victims and others will end this summer. The Milwaukee Archdiocese says it will release 3,000 pages of material on its website July 1.

Archdiocese spokesperson Jerry Topczewski says officials hope the release of the material will help victims of sexual abuse heal. He says the documents are not being released immediately because the church wants to ensure victims names are not included.

Documents will include depositions from top church officials,including sworn statements made by New York Cardinal, former Milwaukee Archbishop Tim Dolan. Dolan gave a deposition in February as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case against the archdiocese. The Milwaukee archdiocese faced a hearing today in U.S. bankruptcy court in Milwaukee.

The archdiocese declared bankruptcy two years ago as it dealt with about 500 sex abuse claims. Local church officials fought the release of the sex abuse files, including content from priest personnel records.