CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte is supporting a request from Charlotte-area media to unseal documents in two civil lawsuits dismissed in 2014.
Media outlets WBTV, WSOC, WCNC and The Charlotte Observer filed two motions July 19 in Mecklenburg County Superior Court to open the files, which the diocese said had been sealed at the plaintiffs’ request to protect their identities.
The court has yet to consider the motions.
A July 22 statement from the diocese read, in part, “The diocese supports the media’s request to unseal documents in the civil suits – if that is the desire of the plaintiffs involved. In fact, the only information that the diocese filed under seal in these cases is information that would reveal the plaintiffs’ identities, a step the diocese took to honor the plaintiffs’ request at the time. Respecting the wishes of plaintiffs in this case and promoting healing for all victims of abuse remain our highest priorities.”
The statement continued, “The Diocese of Charlotte is committed to transparency, accountability and compassion for victims of sexual abuse, and has embraced the protections and reporting requirements spelled out in 2002 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. We do not tolerate child sexual abuse, and the diocese acts swiftly to report allegations to authorities, cooperate with law enforcement, and discipline clergy found to have credible allegations against them.”
— Catholic News Herald