Chicago Archdiocese Says Past Decisions " Difficult to Justify" in Wake of Sex Abuse Documents

Republic
January 21, 2014

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/36caeef26c6f4f9c9ece9c10cd6cad6c/IL--Church-Abuse-Diocese

CHICAGO — Archdiocese of Chicago officials say the nation's third-largest archdiocese made some decisions decades ago that are "now difficult to justify."

The comments came Tuesday as documents were released to the public outlining claims of child abuse against clergy members.

Archdiocese officials say they complied with reporting laws at the time, but that church and its leaders have acknowledged repeatedly that they wished they'd done more sooner.

Church officials say they are working to regain trust and reach out to victims and their families.

The documents were turned over to victims' attorneys and posted online Tuesday. They cover 30 of the at least 65 clergy for whom the archdiocese says it has substantiated claims of child abuse.

Victim attorneys say they show that the archdiocese concealed the abuse for decades.