Judge releases files on 14 Orange County priests

[Initech]

LOS ANGELES 5.17.05, Updated 8p -- Personnel files released Tuesday by court order show that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange knew for years of allegations of sexual misconduct against priests and lay workers but did little to warn parishioners or prevent future abuse.

The private personnel files of the 14 priests and one lay coach were released after Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman ruled that to do so was in the state's "compelling interest in protecting children from abuse." The files of five other priests and three lay teachers were withheld because those individuals contested the release.

<snip>

Brown told reporters Tuesday he was unaware at the time of the previous accusations.

The 87 Orange County plaintiffs are among nearly 1,000 people statewide who filed lawsuits under a 2002 California law that extended the statute of limitations for many molestation cases.

http://www.kfwb.com/content.asp?table1tabCount=6&table1tabOn=1&table2tabCount=6&table2tabOn=1&displayOption=&contentGUID={4A68F6EE-183F-4A70-B69C-7521CDAC7D16}&groupName=KFWB%20News%20Local%20Headlines&siteGUID={3B62BF55-4A93-48E6-A45D-6A495DC423AD}

Wow, this is pretty freaky.

[Trillo]

1. I think the moderators here pretty much killed

comments on the Catholic church relating to pedophiles within.

[Initech]

4. Really?

This is big news here in Los Angeles.

[jojo54]

2. Since when is it the privilege of a known pedophile

to have their criminal records withheld from the public?????

Sorry, but just because they are supposed to be a servant of god doesn't mean they get special consideration, especially when the law has said that it's a crime to sexually abuse anyone!

[AndyTiedye]

3. Did the Vatican Ever Sign the ICC Treaty?

Just asking...