Catholic panel promises release of its findings

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CHICAGO (AP) -- A panel of prominent Roman Catholics pledged yesterday to publicly release its findings from several ongoing studies on molester priests -- even if their reports turn up information that will likely be used in lawsuits against the church.

The promise came as the National Review Board, a dozen lay Catholics appointed by U.S. bishops to monitor the church's reform efforts, issued a progress report on its first year of work.

Robert Bennett, a prominent Washington attorney and member of the board, said the panel has told the bishops that the results of four separate studies currently under way will be released no matter what.

The first study, an audit of whether dioceses are implementing reforms aimed at ridding the priesthood of abusers, is scheduled for release in December.

"At the end of the day, protection of children and young people is of paramount importance," Mr. Bennett said. "It is the unanimous view of this board ... that disclosure is what is required."

But a major victims' advocacy group immediately raised doubts about the studies' value. The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, whose founder, Barbara Blaine, met with the board yesterday, questioned whether the reports will be accurate since they are partly based on data provided by dioceses.

"They seem to rely solely or at least largely on interviews with church personnel," Miss Blaine said.

Mr. Bennett acknowledged that the self-reporting approach was "not perfect."

But he and other board members said the audit -- which will be repeated regularly in the future -- combined with continued public pressure from parishioners will force reluctant bishops to comply.