Religion Roundup
Documents Held in Los Angeles Priest Abuse Cases
Associated Press
September 5, 2008
LOS ANGELES - Part of a record 660 million-dollar clergy abuse settlement is in question after a retired judge recused himself from the case.
In the settlement between abuse victims and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, there was a provision that a retired judge would review confidential files from the accused priests and release them if he deemed it appropriate.
The judge declined to say why he recused himself. But an attorney for the plaintiffs says it was because the judge had received an honor from the Roman Catholic Church that could appear to be a conflict of interest.
The plaintiffs believe that the contents of the files could show evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of church leaders. Many have said that while the money was important, the most crucial part of the settlement was to get those confidential documents made public.
Attorneys for Archdiocese the say it will be very difficult for both sides to agree on another mediator who both sides would trust to review the files.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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