MILWAUKEE (WI)
National Catholic Reporter
Marie Rohde | Jul. 1, 2013
MILWAUKEE — Lawyers representing the victims of clergy sex abuse in the Milwaukee archdiocese said documents slated for release Monday afternoon will reveal greater insight into the role of the Vatican and local church leaders in priest abuse cases. The lawyers also hinted that New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan may have moved church assets before leaving Milwaukee in an effort to protect them from a bankruptcy filing.
In a statement released this weekend, Archbishop Jerome Listecki warned readers of the documents to “prepare to be shocked” and that “news about this topic can shake one’s faith.” He pleaded with readers to understand the “evolution of thinking” on sexual abuse of children since the 1970s.
“Church leaders and other professionals tried their best to deal with the issue given the knowledge available at the time,” he said.
The more than 6,000 pages of documents include:
The deposition of Dolan, archbishop of Milwaukee from June 2002 to February 2009, now the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Jeff Anderson, the lead lawyer representing the more than 570 victims who have filed claims, said in a press release that Dolan’s activities leading to the filing of the bankruptcy will be revealed. Lawyers for the victims earlier said Dolan transferred $55 million to a cemetery fund in order to protect it from claims. Another $35 million was transferred to parishes, they said. Bankruptcy Judge Susan V. Kelley ruled that money could not be touched. Lawyers for the claimants could appeal that ruling.
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