Priest Sex Abuse Case Heard by St. Louis County Judge

Northlands News Center
September 11, 2014

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Priest-sex-abuse-case-heard-by-St-Louis-County-Judge-274831351.html

Credit: Duluth Diocese

A case involving the documents of priests who have been accused of child sex abuse was heard in St. Louis County Court on Thursday.

Attorneys representing two sexual abuse survivors want the Diocese to release what they call "secret documents" of diocese practices.

The diocese is asking for a protective order over the documents, which would contain the names of priests along with dates, times and places where they worked and who they allegedly abused.

Attorneys representing those who were abused say it's a matter of public safety.

"Today is actually a very narrow situation of a legal matter of historical cases [of priests who] have been dead for over 15 years. It's very sad what has happened in the past," said Father Eric Hastings, Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of Duluth Diocese.

"Until the public can know about the past practices of the top officials in the Diocese and the current practices as well, we believe kids are at risk," said Attorney Jeff Anderson.

The Diocese has already released the names of 17 priests with credible allegations of child sexual abuse.

It is not known at this time when the judge will make his decision on weather to grant the Diocese with a protective order of the document.

Posted to the web by Kati Anderson.

Contact: kanderson@kbjr.com