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Church Secrecy and the
Prohibition to Release Information Form

Archdiocese of Philadelphia
October 2003

For a discussion of this form, see Mystery Document Appears in Priest Probe, My Fox Philly, March 11, 2011; and Philadelphia's Smoking Gun, by Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, March 12, 2011. See also a PDF of the Philadelphia archdiocesan form. The Prohibition to Release Information Form is one of an extended family of instruments that the Catholic church has used to control the free flow of information. A small sample:

 

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Prohibition to Release Information
(pertaining to reported sexual abuse by clergy, other religious, and lay employees)


I, (Printed Name), hereby prohibit (Name of staff) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, from releasing to the appropriate law enforcement authorities of (Location where incident occurred) any information I provide about alleged sexual abuse by an official or employee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia unless I disclose information which is mandated to be reported. I understand that this is contrary to the policy of the Archdiocese. This prohibition shall remain valid unless I provide written authorization to release any such information.

I understand that any representative of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including the person named above, must obey a court order, such as a subpoena, to provide information that is so ordered. Such an order will likely include the infornation mentioned above in this prohibition.

I certify that this form has been fully explained to me and that I understand its contents.

(Signature) (Date)

(Signature of person on behalf of minor) (Relationship) (Date)

10/03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 

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