MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY ROMLEY ANNOUNCES INDICTMENTS OF SIX PRIESTS IN PHOENIX, 2003-06-02 (photo)

Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley announces the indictments of six priests from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix on criminal sexual abuse charges, in Phoenix, Arizona, June 2, 2003. Romley also announced an agreement made with the Diocese and Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien to help ensure the future protection of children and for compensation for past child-victims of sexual abuse. The Diocese also agreed to contribute more than 700,000 dollars to help the victims of sexual abuse and to reimburse the County Attorney's office for investigation expenses. Bishop O'Brien, as part of the agreement with the County Attorney, will admit in a written statement that he allowed Roman Catholic priests under his supervision to have contact with minors after becoming aware of allegations of criminal sexual misconduct. REUTERS/Jeff Topping JT/HB