MILWAUKEE (WI)
National Catholic Reporter
Apr. 11, 2012
By Maryangela Layman Roman, Catholic News Service
MILWAUKEE — A U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled April 5 that the depositions of Milwaukee’s retired archbishop, a Milwaukee auxiliary bishop and a former priest will remain sealed and may not be made public.
The ruling by Judge Susan V. Kelley was in response to a motion filed by Jeff Anderson and Associates, the law firm representing claimants in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin where Kelley is presiding over the Chapter 11 reorganization of the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
At issue are the depositions of retired Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba and a former priest, Daniel Budzynski.
In denying the motion to unseal them, Kelley noted she had previously authorized “rule 2004 examinations,” or depositions, which were taken last October and November, for three reasons:
— The potential loss of evidence because of the age or infirmity of the witnesses; Weakland is 85; Sklba is 76; and Budzynski is 84.
— The testimony would be used to value claims and determine whether they were objectionable.
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