Victims Fight Back

TRANSCRIPT

A group of abuse survivors is fighting to release to the public a sealed report on the archdiocese of Baltimore.

In tonight's In-Depth Report, Church Militant's Nick Wylie discusses the controversy behind the 456-page document.

Barbara Hart, attorney: "We'll be filing a motion to intervene so that we'll become parties to the proceedings. And then, once granted standing within the proceedings, we're going to seek to have the report released."

A judge recently decided to seal all records of the Maryland attorney general's report on sexual abuse within the Baltimore archdiocese. But survivors are battling to release those details to the public.

Judge Anthony Vittoria sealed the records after an anonymous group named in the report — for whom the archdiocese is paying legal fees — made the request.

All documents will now be considered confidential until a final ruling is made as to whether the report will be released publicly.

The 456-page attorney general's report from an almost four-year investigation contains the names of over 600 victims abused by 158 priests. 

Brian Frosh, Maryland attorney general: "The archdiocese, for many decades, did everything they possibly could to keep the information about the abuse out of the public eye."

The archdiocese claims it will not oppose the release of the report. But it's also not fighting to have the findings made known. 

Abp. William Lori, archdiocese of Baltimore:

The archdiocese does not, and will not, oppose the report's release. We stated that last week, but we also pledge to support the rights of some people who are mentioned in the report but not accused of abuse, and who were not given the ability to respond to the attorney general during the investigation.

Archbishop William Lori — the vice president of the U.S. bishops' conference — famously fought while bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut, to have clerical sex abuse records concealed. 

Lori also assisted Theodore McCarrick and Cdl. Wilton Gregory in forming the bishop-protecting "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

Victims are fed up with the lack of transparency by the archdiocese and are demanding change.

Gemma Hoskins, advocate: "You turned away. You chose to fall silent. And you chose to protect your criminals. The mighty army I represent today is relentless. We will not go away, sit down or shut up. And most of us believe, sir, that you need to resign."

Bishops continue to hide behind insincere apologies while doing almost nothing to help victims obtain justice. 

Archbishop Lori previously declared in an interview that bishops need to be held to the same high standards as priests, employees and volunteers.