Archdiocese Seeks Clarification of Confidentiality Orders

Today, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee asked United States Bankruptcy Judge Susan V. Kelley to clarify her prior confidentiality orders so that it can respond to Attorney Jeff Anderson’s efforts to distort the claims process.  The archdiocese also asked the court for permission to provide general statistical information about the claims to the Wisconsin attorney general as requested by a few Wisconsin legislators.  The request included the number of claims, by decade, and other general information that does not reveal any individual identities or other confidential information.

Julie Wolf, director of communications, for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, added, “If Judge Kelley approves the request and the attorney general chooses to become involved, he will quickly conclude that what the archdiocese has been saying all along is true – the steps taken in the last two decades by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are a model for others in preventing abuse and creating a safe environment.  Our safeguarding policies and procedures have become a blueprint for other institutions that do not require the same level of rigorous training, background checks and preventive programs.” 

Wolf also confirmed that the archdiocese continues to treat each new claim as a “report” and that all claims making allegations against living persons have already been, or are in the process of, being referred to the appropriate district attorney. 

“The archdiocese continues to implement its well-publicized policies, procedures and protocols, which include temporarily removing priests from ministry while an investigation is underway and permanently removing them from ministry if an allegation is substantiated,” Wolf added.