Milwaukee release of archdiocese records

  Apr 04, 2013
 Kent Wainscott

Archbishop Jerome Listecki is trying to prepare people for what they may see in the records detailing cases of child sexual abuse.
The records also include sworn depositions by former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

The promised release of documents marks a turning point in the long legal battle between abuse survivors and the Catholic Church.

"Let's shed the light where it needs to be shed and let people understand what happened," Milwaukee Archdiocese spokesman Jerry Topczewski said.
Topczewski said Listecki believes the release will allow the church to move forward.
"I think the archbishop's realized in this proceeding, if the release of these documents will bring some peace, some healing, let's do it," Topczewski said.

In a written statement, the archbishop cautioned the public, saying, "Much of the information in the documents is not pleasant to read. As a shepherd, I worry about those who will feel outrage, anger and embarrassment."

Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests are praising the church's decision to release thousands of pages of previously sealed documents, but they said it's not enough.

"This is a very historic victory for victims of child sexual abuse," Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Midwest Director Peter Isely said.

Victims of abuse have fought for the release of the documents, and the reversal by the church comes just hours before a hearing in federal court that might have forced the issue.

"The archdiocese has fought and spent millions of dollars in legal fees over the years not to see this day come," Isely said.

The documents detail cases of abuse by diocesan priests over several decades, but not cases involving members of specific religious orders. The survivors group said that's not good enough.

'We'll address these perpetrators, but we won't address them all,' so we want all records released," abuse victim Mary Guentner said.
But the archdiocese said it's putting all of its information on the table for all to see.

"Let's let people know exactly what the diocese knew, when they knew about it, what they did about it," Topczewski said.

A website is being prepared. The documents will be released by July. They will show how the Catholic Church dealt with reports of abusive priests over the years.
Some responses, the archdiocese said, people will find to be positive. Others, it said, will be disturbing and ugly.