NH names 27 priests in sex abuse cases

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Manchester, NH) - There is new information about the clergy sex abuse crisis in New Hampshire. Documents reveal the names of more than two dozen priests, accused of misconduct. These names are public record because of victim advocate groups, and media outlets filed right to know requests with the Attorney General. The victim advocates say they shouldn't have had to work this hard to get that information. The files, which publicly identify 27 accused clergy members for the first time, were released after the state's final audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. A group called BishopAccountability.org says that could spur more victims to come forward, but the statute of limitations will rule out many prosecutions. An agreement reached in 2002, says that the diocese would agree to report all abuse allegations to the attorney general's office and remove the clergy members from the jobs. Information from the Associated Press is included in this report.