Late Friday, Judge William C. Pate ruled that internal church documents of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego pertaining to priests who had been convicted, credibly accused or named in molestation lawsuits could be released. This is a battle that has been going on for a long time. The lawyers involved have indicated that there are more documents that should be released.
“These documents show how it happened,” said attorney Anthony De Marco, who represented victims. “They help give insight into how such travesty can occur on such a large scale … placing the institution above protecting children. … I think to ever remedy a problem, you have to understand it.”
The records are from the personnel files of 48 priests. The pedophile priests were the cause of the nearly $200 million settlement by the diocese in 2007. As part of that settlement there was a stipulation that an independent judge would review the priests’ sealed personnel records and determine what could be made public.
If you suffered, saw or suspected such events it is important to know that there is help out there.
