From the ArcaMax Publishing, Religious News Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/religiousnews/s-641334-989030
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to review an
order forcing the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., to release
documents on priest-child sexual abuse.
The Connecticut Supreme Court earlier ruled that more than 12,000
pages in 23 lawsuits against six priests should be unsealed, the
Connecticut Post reported. The U.S. Supreme Court refused without
comment to review that ruling.
Monday's action followed an earlier refusal by the U.S. Supreme Court
to issue an emergency stay in the case.
"We were disappointed to learn (the high court) ... has decided not to
hear our case," said diocese spokesman Joseph McAleer, the Post
reported. "We continue to believe that the constitutional issues
presented, including the First Amendment rights of religious
organizations and the privacy rights of all citizens, are significant
and important for the court to consider."
But the Post reported Barbara Dorris, spokeswoman for the Survivors
Network of those Abused by Priests, said, "We're relieved that the
public is one step closer to finally learning how much Cardinal Edward
Egan knew and how little he did to stop child sex crimes when he was
in Bridgeport. ... We're just sorry Bishop (William) Lori has taken
seven years and probably spent at least $100,000 donated by
parishioners to protect himself and his colleagues instead of
protecting kids."
The newspaper said a hearing on how to release the documents has been
scheduled next week in Waterbury (Conn.) Superior Court.