The Archdiocese of Chicago on Nov. 6 released approximately 15,000 pages of documents related to 36 archdiocesan priests who have substantiated allegations against them of sexual misconduct with minors. The documents are posted on the archdiocesan website, www.archchicago.org. All the records pertain to incidents that took place years or decades ago. Fourteen of the 36 priests have died, and none of them are in ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The archdiocese released similar records pertaining to 30 other priests in January. “As we said in January, we are committed to transparency with the people we serve,” Cardinal Francis E. George said in a statement. “We cannot change the past but we hope we can rebuild trust through honest and open dialogue. Child abuse is a crime and a sin. The Archdiocese of Chicago is concerned first and foremost with bringing healing to abuse victims.”

This article appears in November 24 2014.