NEW YORK (NY)
New York Post
July 15, 2019
By Allie Griffin and Natalie O’Neill
A lawyer representing childhood victims of alleged sex abuse on Monday demanded the Archdioceses of New York release “secret files” on “predator priests” — before a one-year statute of limitations rule expires.
“We’re launching a petition today to demand that the Church of New York, all the Catholic Dioceses, release their secret files that contain important information on predator priests,” said Jeff Herman, an attorney representing the victims in a class action lawsuit against the archdiocese.
In the yet-to-be released documents, more than 500 priests have been identified as child abusers, Herman said.
“That’s the tip of the iceberg,” he proclaimed. “There’s probably over a thousand priests there may be files on.”
It’s important that the archdioceses move swiftly in releasing the files due to the New York Child Victims Act, which recently created a one-year window allowing victims of sex abuse to file civil suits without dealing with state statute of limitations rules.
“It’s important so that they can evaluate and learn whether or not they can file claims and finally seek justice under this new law,” he said.
In April, the Archdiocese of New York released a list of 120 clergy who it said have been “credibly accused” of sexually abusing a minor.
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