Victims' lawyers seek files from religious orders in Los Angeles abuse case

April 16, 2013

Lawyers for sex-abuse victims, who successfully forced the Los Angeles archdiocese to release files on sex-abuse complaints earlier this year, are now seeking the same disclosure from religious orders.

In January, the Los Angeles archdiocese ended a long court battle by releasing the files of priests accused of sexual abuse. But the archdiocese did not have complete files on priests who were assigned in Los Angeles, but belonged to religious orders.

Some religious orders joined with the archdiocese in a record $660 million with abuse victims; others have reached separate agreements. The victims’ lawyers argue that the files of religious orders are needed to provide a full picture of the reaction by Church leaders to abuse accusations.

 

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Further information:

• Catholic religious order abuse files may go public (AP)
• Cardinal Mahony, LA archdiocese sheltered abusive priests, files show (CWN, 1/31)