Catholic bishops put on notice: Don’t destroy abuse records

MILWAUKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

October 27, 2018

By Tom Kertscher and Annysa Johnson

Every Catholic diocese in the country has been asked by a federal prosecutor not to destroy documents related to the handling of child sexual abuse, fueling the hopes of survivors and advocates that a sweeping investigation of the church by the U.S. government may be coming.

“We are extremely encouraged,” said Peter Isely, a survivor and founding member of the advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “This is something we have been requesting and arguing and pushing for many years.”

The Rev. James Connell, a canon lawyer and former vice chancellor for the 10-county Archdiocese of Milwaukee, also welcomed the news, saying Catholics in the pews have become increasingly disillusioned with the actions of their bishops.

“It’s become clearer and clearer that the church has not told the whole truth, and that’s a great disservice to society,” he said.

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