Dolan Calls Allegations of Fraud an " Old and Discredited" Attack

By Michele McCormack
CBS 58
July 1, 2013

http://www.cbs58.com/news/local-news/Dolan-calls-allegations-of-fraud-213930561.html

[with video]

MILWAUKEE---As promised, the Milwaukee Archdiocese has released thousands of documents revealing sexual misconduct by priests as well as other scandalous information about finances.

Online documents show that back in 2007 Archbishop Timothy Dolan asked for and received permission from the Vatican to move $57 million into a trust fund.

The chief of staff for current Milwaukee Archdiocese, Archbishop Jerome Listecki said the money mentioned was always set aside in a separate fund for cemetery care and moving it to a trust just formalized that.

Dolan, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the nation's most prominent Roman Catholic official, has not been accused of transferring problem priests, after taking over control of the Milwaukee church in 2002 at that point many victims had already gone public.

In a statement today he said to allege sinister motives is simply not true:

"While certain groups can be counted-upon to take certain statements or events out of context, the documents released show plainly that the bishops have been faithful to the promises made over a decade ago: permanent removal from ministry of any priest who abused a minor."

Church law required Bishops to seek Vatican approval for any asset transfer.

Ultimately, it will be up to the bankruptcy judge to rule if any transfer was fraud.