CHICAGO (IL)
Daily Chronicle
By The Associated Press
CHICAGO — As part of a court settlement, the Archdiocese of Chicago plans to release church files on former Catholic priests accused of sexually abusing children.
Cardinal Francis George made the announcement in a letter to priests that will be published Sunday in church bulletins. In it, he acknowledges mistakes in the church’s response to the allegations, but says there was no cover-up.
Plaintiffs in abuse cases have sought the information for years. Under the terms of an ongoing settlement, the church will deliver the documents to their attorneys on Jan. 15. The information will go public a week later after information about the alleged victims is removed.
Jeff Anderson, an attorney for plaintiffs, has seen the records and says they include church documents on 30 former clergy members accused in the cases. Anderson says the files also identify current and former church officials who he says sought to protect them.
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