Chicago Archdiocese Hid Decades of Child Sex Abuse

CHICAGO (AP) — Internal documents reveal how the Archdiocese of Chicago tried for decades to contain a mounting scandal over child sexual abuse by priests.

That includes moving accused priests from parish to parish and assigning others to watch them around children. Many went on to abuse again.

Former Cardinals John Cody and Joseph Bernardin often approved the reassignments.

The documents were turned over to victims' attorneys and were posted online Tuesday. They cover only 30 of the at least 65 clergy for whom the archdiocese says it has substantiated claims of child abuse.

Victim attorneys say they show that the archdiocese concealed the abuse for decades.

Cardinal Francis George says the disclosures are an attempt at transparency and a means to help victims heal. He's also apologized to victims and area Catholics.