Judge rules Seattle Archdiocese does not have to turn over records to WA Attorney General's Office
On Friday, a judge decided to not force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over records the Attorney General’s Office has been asking for since last July.
Natalie Swaby | King5 News | July 12th, 2024
SEATTLE — On Friday, a judge decided to not force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over records that the Attorney General’s Office has been asking for since last July. Ahead of the hearing, survivors of clergy sexual abuse made a point to be at the courthouse.
“For me personally I have been working hard for this day for 31 or 32 years, since I faced my abuse by a priest when I was seven,” said Mary Dispenza.
Wearing a pin with a picture of her at that age, Dispenza is now on a mission to expose what she said the Catholic Church has kept hidden. The Seattle Archdiocese has released its official record of clergy credibly accused. There are more than 80 names on the list. “I don't believe that 80 is the accurate number at all,” said Dispenza, who believes it is much higher.
That's why she was at the courthouse on Friday afternoon. “Release the records to the public domain. By records I mean the stories how they happened, who was responsible so we can make a better future,” Dispenza said.
In court, the state made its case first. “We ask for a ruling that the church is not immune from this investigation,” said First Assistant Attorney General Kristin Beneski.
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into whether the Catholic Church used charitable funds to cover up child sex abuse.“When you hide that fact that a member of the clergy is abusing children or other vulnerable people, but then you allow them to keep doing their job but in different locations, you are exposing people in those different location to that abuser,” said Beneski.
“The Attorney General was not given the authority pursuant to a charitable trust act to supervise and to enforce a religious corporation that is tax exempt,” argued Theresa DeMonte, the attorney for the Seattle Archdiocese.
The judge’s decision was to deny the state’s application.
After the hearing, Attorney General Bob Ferguson talked about the remarks made by the attorneys for the Seattle Archdiocese. “What I heard in there was wildly inconsistent with what I understand Catholicism to be. What I saw in there was shameful,” said Ferguson. “We can go all the way to the state supreme court.”
“When it comes to crimes i just don’t believe anyone should be exempt, and we are not going to give up,” said Dispenza.
The Seattle Archdiocese released the following statement after Friday’s ruling, saying "sexual abuse in the Church is a heart-wrenching part of our history, and I am deeply sorry for the pain caused to victim survivors, their families and all Catholics.
“We remain focused on the need for healing and proper governance in these matters," said Archbishop Paul D. Etienne. "While ironing out the legalities is important, I take no pleasure in today’s outcome. Because we are committed to preventing abuse, promoting transparency and continuously improving our processes, my offer to collaborate with the attorney general still stands.”