The Washington State Attorney General's Office is investigating child sex abuse by priests and actions that the Church has taken to address this abuse and prevent further harm. Unfortunately, the Church has turned over only records that are already publically available, hiding behind a claim of "victim privacy" when the Church knows it can redact names and otherwise protect victims while still cooperating fully with the investigation. More information is available here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wa-clergy-abuse-investigation-rcna151427

We, the undersigned, urge the Seattle Archdiocese to submit to civil investigation and oversight by complying fully, promptly, and continuously with the Washington State Attorney General's investigation. We believe that transparency is the only path to accountability, which in turn is necessary for healing. The Church will never move past its horrific abuses and institutional failure until it submits to full disclosure, investigation, accountability, and restitution. The Church doesn't get to decide when this process is done. The community it has harmed-- those whose trust has been undermined-- gets to decide when the Church has been held fully accountable.