Church to release files on sex abuse by priests

The Archdiocese of Chicago plans to release files detailing the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests as part of a court settlement.

Cardinal Francis George made the announcement in a letter to priests that is set to be published in church bulletins on Sunday.

Abuse victims have sought the information for years. Under terms of a settlement, the church will deliver the documents to attorneys for the victims on Jan. 15. The information will go public a week later.

Jeff Anderson is an attorney for plaintiffs in the case and has seen the records. He says they detail the backgrounds of offenders and identify current and former church officials who protected them.

In his letter, George writes that the church is releasing the records in the interests of “transparency.”