5 religious orders release files related to abuse in Los Angeles

August 05, 2013

Six months after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles released the personnel files of 87 archdiocesan clergy accused of sexual abuse, five religious orders have heeded a court order and released files on a dozen religious accused of abuse during their time in the archdiocese.

“The archdiocese handed over materials reflecting Cardinal Roger M. Mahony’s meticulous record-keeping of molestation claims and treatment of accused offenders,” the Los Angeles Times reported. “By contrast, the order files are a hodgepodge of seminary report cards, vacation requests, baptismal certificates and breezy dispatches in which priests update their higher-ups on parish projects … suggesting the orders were either unaware of molestation claims or opted not to document them.”

An additional 45 religious communities are expected to release similar files by autumn.

 

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Further information:

• Five Catholic religious orders release files on L.A. clergy abuse (Los Angeles Times)
• Archbishop Gomez relieves Cardinal Mahony of duties; Bishop Curry steps down (CWN, 2/1)