Chicago archdiocese to identify accused priests

August 30, 2011

As part of a settlement in a sex-abuse lawsuit, the Chicago archdiocese has agreed to release the personnel files of 35 priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

The files to be made public will also reveal how archdiocesan officials handled complaints against the clerics, in cases dating back to the 1950. The Chicago archdiocese agreed to release the files—adding to the list of 65 priests already identified as the targets of abuse complaints—as part of a settlement with 12 abuse victims that also included a large financial payment.

The settlement obligates the archdiocese to release information about priests who have been "credibly" accused of sexual abuse. The agreement comes just after the Boston archdiocese made public a full list of archdiocesan priests who have been accused.

 

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Further information:

• Archdiocese Must Release Files of Priests in Sex Abuse Cases: Settlement (Fox)
• Settlement of sex abuse case requires release of archdiocese files (Chicago Tribune)
• Archdiocese to release priest sex abuse files under settlement with victims (Sun Times)