Lawyers release files on accused Joliet priests

JOLIET (IL)
Enquirer-Herald

[the documents via BishopAccountability.org]

BY MICHAEL TARM
Associated Press
April 30, 2014

CHICAGO — Attorneys have released thousands of files from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet they allege show a pattern of minimizing and sometimes covering up sexual abuse by priests.

Jeff Anderson’s law firm released documents Wednesday on 16 priests. He says they indicate the Chicago-area diocese put a priority on “protecting themselves and their priests at the peril of children.”

He adds the diocese refuses to disclose the whereabouts of more than 20 former priests accused of abuse and who could still harm children. Anderson says the diocese put up “great resistance” to turning over the files as part of civil litigation.

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