More Boston priest files released

Some want the cardinal to face criminal charges

More files have been made public detailing the alleged sexual misconduct of Roman Catholic priests in the Boston archdiocese, as speculation mounts over Cardinal Bernard Law's surprise trip to the Vatican.

The new personnel files show the Church did take steps to suspend some priests after accusations were made against them.

Cardinal Law's handling of child abuse claims has been criticised

But the files also contain details that will fuel criticism of the archdiocese, including the handling of a case against a priest accused of abuse who was repeatedly reinstated.

The Boston archdiocese is facing more than 400 civil lawsuits over child abuse claims and is threatening to file for bankruptcy.

The latest revelations come a week after documents were released containing some of the most shocking allegations made so far, including accounts of priests allegedly trading drugs for sex and molesting young children.

The archdiocese had fought the release of the files, but a judge ordered that they be turned over to the plaintiffs' lawyers.

Removed from office

The new files contain details of actions taken against a priest whose appointment was ended even though a jury acquitted him of indecent assault.

Another priest was removed from his job just two weeks after the church first received allegations of misconduct.

The Pope is distressed by abuse revelations in the US

But there were other, potentially more damaging, accusations.

A file on one priest shows he was accused of raping a 12-year-old girl more than a decade after concerns were first raised about him, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The priest - who had been reinstated after previous accusations - strenuously denied the rape allegation and after "lengthy and serious discussions" he was again reinstated to a church post.

Vatican visit

The Vatican is maintaining near-silence on Cardinal Law's dramatic trip to Rome.

The cardinal flew to Italy after abruptly cancelling an appearance at Sunday mass, as pressure grew on him to resign.

The Vatican confirmed that the cardinal was holding talks with the Holy See, but did not give details.

Cardinal Law now faces continued calls for his resignation, both from Roman Catholic priests and parishioners.

A letter signed by a number of priests asking him to step down is currently being circulated.

Bankruptcy

The Boston Church's finance council voted last Wednesday to allow Cardinal Law to take the archdiocese into bankruptcy, provided he had the Vatican's approval.

The move would suspend all civil lawsuits and force claimants to create a single group in a federal court.

Vatican approval is needed because the Church's accounts would be opened to public scrutiny.

The BBC's religious affairs correspondent, Robert Pigott, says the Vatican may believe the situation in Boston is slipping out of control.