Archbishop Weakland shredded evidence of abuse, court documents show

December 03, 2009

Archbishop Rembert Weakland shredded reports about sexual abuse by priests during his tenure as head of the Milwaukee archdiocese, according to sworn testimony that came to light this week. In depositions taken in the 1990s, the former archbishop admitted that he regularly destroyed documentation of abuse complaints. A victims’ group—the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP—has asked local prosecutors to investigate whether criminal charges against Weakland would be appropriate. SNAP has asked Archbishop-elect Jerome Listecki, the incoming head of the Milwaukee archdiocese, to denounce Weakland’s behavior.

Archbishop Weakland resigned in 2002 after revelations that he had paid over $400,000 to a man who claimed to be his former lover.

 

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Further information:

• Weakland shredded copies of sex abuse reports, documents say (Journal Sentinel)
• Report: Weakland shredded documents about priest abuse (Pierce County Herald)