Victims' Advocates Criticize Release of Priest Abuse Files

By Mary Ann Ahern
NBC Chicago
November 11, 2014

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Victims-Advocates-Criticize-Release-of-Priest-Abuse-Files-282355161.html

With just days until his retirement, Cardinal Francis George and attorneys for the Archdiocese of Chicago released the names and files of 36 allegedly abusive priests, but victim advocates argue the documents fall short of the transparency promised.

Attorneys representing victims of priest sex abuse are still going through the 15,000 pages of documents released by the Archdiocese five days ago, but they say the documents are “incomplete.”

“It is so incomplete and confusing,” said attorney Jeffrey Anderson. “It’s tantamount to a half truth.”

“The victims’ stories are completely absent from this production,” said attorney Marc Pearlman. “They’ll say that’s because they want to protect their privacy, but there’s a way to do that and put the information out there and protect the privacy of victims.”

George, who is attending the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, said making the files public is honoring a commitment to transparency.

“I think we tried as much as possible, to some of the process,” he said. “Healing can begin in earnest. Archbishop Cupich is a very good man to do that.”

Chicago’s next archbishop, Blasé Cupich, is leaving Spokane, Washington for Chicago, but a lawsuit stemming from priest sex abuse settlements there and the diocese’s decision to file for bankruptcy lingers.

Pope Francis on Monday announced a Vatican commission to hear appeals, outlining a new way to speed up the process for priests and bishops accused of crimes. The pope will select the seven cardinals or bishops for the panel, but again, victims’ attorneys remain skeptical.

“We have no confidence in panels appointed by the top officials,” said Anderson. “History has informed us it doesn’t work.”