Priest Sex Abuse Case

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By Denise Jackson

Sensitive records and deposition in a sexual abuse case involving a former Peoria Catholic Diocese priest will be kept under wraps.

Peoria County Court Judge Joe Vespa granted the diocese's request for a protective order in the case involving Andrew Ward.

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Ward's attorney argued that with the potential for other victims still out there the public has a right to know about the behavior of former diocese priest Thomas Maloney and former diocesan Bishop John Myers.
In a lawsuit Ward says Maloney sexually abused him several years ago when he was a student at Epiphany Grade School in Normal.

Diocese attorney Joe Feehan argues that Anderson wants to disseminate the sensitive information on the internet.

"We believe that the case should be handled in the courtroom rather than on the internet and tried through the media," Feehan said.

"We're vigorously opposing any effort by this diocese and this bishop to keep their crimes secret and private," said Defense attorney Jeff Anderson.

Myers is an archbishop in New Jersey and Maloney died last year.
Vespa says the defense must identify which areas should be exempt from the ruling and there would be a review hearing for each one.

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