CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times

BY BRIAN SLOYDYSKO Staff Reporter January 12, 2014

Churchgoers emerged from Mass at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, wary of an impending release of documents detailing the sexual abuse of children at the hands of priests, but optimistic that the Catholic church could finally move beyond the past.

“The church struggles with the past but it’s a way of providing some healing people need,” said Andy Luther, 33, of Villa Park. “Either way, it’s a painful experience bringing things to the light.”

The church files on sex abuse cases, sought for nearly seven years by plaintiffs’ attorneys, will be handed over Jan. 15 under the terms of court settlements.

While details of sexual abuse by priests, along with information about church officials who may have covered up the abuse, will be turned over Wednesday to attorneys suing the Archdiocese of Chicago they will not become…