Survivors, Lawyers Say Documents Prove Priest Sex Abuse Cover-Up

By Lynette Kalsnes
WBEZ
January 22, 2014

http://www.wbez.org/news/culture/survivors-lawyers-say-documents-prove-priest-sex-abuse-cover-109557

[with video]

Newly released documents offer the most sweeping look yet at how the Archdiocese of Chicago has handled cases of sexual abuse by priests. Attorneys and victims contend they provide clear evidence of a cover-up that started in the 1950s and continues today.

Victims’ attorneys put 6,000 pages online Tuesday. They detail alleged abuse by 30 priests against about 50 victims.

Kathy Laarveld’s son was one of those molested by a priest. For years, she was a staunch supporter of her parish. She was the secretary, the cook, even did the laundry for the priests, who were regular dinner guests.

She had no idea that Vincent McCaffrey, one of these priests she trusted, was abusing her son.

“McCaffrey actually took advantage of my son on his First Communion in my home, in front of my family,” Laarveld said.

Newly released documents offer the most sweeping look yet at how the Archdiocese of Chicago has handled cases of sexual abuse by priests. Attorneys and victims contend they provide clear evidence of a cover-up that started in the 1950s and continues today.

Victims’ attorneys put 6,000 pages online Tuesday. They detail alleged abuse by 30 priests against about 50 victims.

Kathy Laarveld’s son was one of those molested by a priest. For years, she was a staunch supporter of her parish. She was the secretary, the cook, even did the laundry for the priests, who were regular dinner guests.

She had no idea that Vincent McCaffrey, one of these priests she trusted, was abusing her son.

“McCaffrey actually took advantage of my son on his First Communion in my home, in front of my family,” Laarveld said.