CHICAGO— The Archdiocese of Chicago says it’s “surprised” by a lawyer’s claim that the Archdiocese is
withholding files on priests accused of sexually abusing children.
withholding files on priests accused of sexually abusing children.
Attorney Jeff Anderson filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Vatican on behalf of a woman whose son was molested by a former Chicago priest. Anderson says the Archdiocese promised as part of a 2008 settlement with 16 abuse victims to release documents on priests who’d been credibly accused of abuse.
But he contends that hasn’t happened and he believes it’s because Vatican won’t allow it.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the Archdiocese says it’s “engaged in an ongoing mediation” with Anderson but he hasn’t taken “required steps” to resolve the disputes.
Anderson said Thursday that he’s lost all hope that mediation will work.
AP-WF-05-12-11 1539GMT