CHICAGO (IL)
WLS
[with video]
Ben Bradley
January 7, 2014 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — The Archdiocese of Chicago is preparing a PR war of sorts, trying to get its story out before another round of unflattering information emerges about the handling of priest sex abuse allegations. The cases are not new, but the details are– and they’re expected to reopen old wounds of a church crisis that is yet to pass.
In a letter to be included in church bulletins this weekend, Francis Cardinal George writes: “Publishing for all to read the actual records of these crimes raises transparency to a new level. It will be helpful, we pray, for some, but painful for many.”
Victims’ attorney Jeff Anderson is one of the attorneys that reached a settlement with the Archdiocese requiring the church to turn over the information. He says it includes internal church documents on 30 accused priests, detailing the claims of dozens of victims, and also church communications detailing transfers of suspected priests.
“What they really do is reveal a systemic pattern of choices being made by top officials to protect reputations, the image of the Archdiocese and to choose to protect offenders at the peril of many children,” said Anderson.
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