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	Joliet Diocese to Name Those Accused of Abuse By Manya A. Brachear Chicago Tribune [Joliet IL] April 1, 2006 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0604010234 apr01,1,3548182.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet promised on Friday that in the next two weeks it would post on its Web site the names of priests facing credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors, echoing a similar move by the Chicago archdiocese. "We have taken this step in the hope of further facilitating healing and closure for those who have been affected by the tragedy of sexual abuse of a minor," Bishop Joseph Imesch said in a statement released Friday. But victims' advocates, who have sought a list of names for years, said the church is acting because it wants to quell protests and soften the blow of lawsuits demanding names of the accused and records of the allegations against them. "The lists have almost always been very limited, and bishops have split hairs to minimize the numbers," said Barbara Dorris, a spokeswoman for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "Any step toward openness, however partial or belated or begrudging, is welcome. We hope this will prompt other victims of pedophile priests to come forward and get help." In February, George Knotek of Minneapolis filed suit in DuPage County, demanding that the Joliet diocese name all priests--dead or alive--accused of abusing minors since 1950. The lawsuit also demanded documentation of allegations against priests who served in the Joliet diocese. Imesch said that during the 2005 sex abuse audit carried out by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the diocese received six abuse allegations, including two against priests in active ministry. Both were determined to be unsubstantiated.
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