Chicago Catholic Archdiocese Settles Abuse Suit; Agrees To Release Files

The Chicago Sun-Times this week reports that the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has agreed to a $2.3 million settlement in a suit by a man now in his early 20's who between 2004 and 2006 was sexually abused by now-defrocked former priest Daniel McCormack. The settlement also calls for the Archdiocese to release on Jan. 15 files on allegations of sexual abuse against a total of 30 priests, including McCormack.  The files will include information on how Church officials responded to the allegations. On its website this week, the Archdiocese confirmed that it plans to release these files in January, and also will update its website to include more complete information on 30 others. In a related posting, the Archdiocese responded to several statements made in a press conference by the president of Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests.