In almost any diocese in the US, we believe, documents show the same disturbing pattern – the men who have ignored and hidden horrific child sex crimes are still in positions of power.

Just last week, top Catholic officials met in Rome and once again – as they have for years – pledged reform. Yet today, we’re reminded of a sad, simple and enduring fact – almost all of what we learn about this on-going crisis we learn despite, not because of, the church hierarchy. Secrecy surrounding child sex crimes continues to this day in this institution.

In almost every instance, Catholic officials continue doing little or nothing to reveal the truth, and victims, witnesses, whistleblowers, police, prosecutors and advocates continue to do the hard work of exposing child molesting clerics and their corrupt church supervisors.

We applaud the brave and persistent Delaware victims who fought to get access to these records and are now sharing them with parishioners and the public. We beg Delaware Catholics and citizens to read them and learn about the powerful, secretive men who are still protecting their colleagues over our children.

Read the story here: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120215/NEWS/120215020/Files-released-Wilmington-diocese-cases?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome