California judge keeps clergy records private in sex abuse suits

Published: 2004-11-05

OAKLAND, Calif. (CNS) -- A judge overseeing some 160 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits in northern California has decided clergy personnel files that are made available to plaintiffs' attorneys will remain confidential unless they are introduced as evidence at a trial. Rejecting motions for public disclosure filed by several news organizations, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Ronald M. Sabraw also ruled that the names and backgrounds of the plaintiffs in the cases should remain confidential. The ruling, issued Oct. 27, supercedes the judge's previous tentative order that the personnel records of accused priests and the names and general background of the alleged victims could be made public. Earlier in October, Sabraw set March 7 for the start of a trial involving a lawsuit brought by five plaintiffs against the San Francisco Archdiocese and San Jose Diocese. Trial dates in other cases were set for May and June.

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