Diocese, prosecutors delay release of data

PORTLAND – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and prosecutors agreed to delay Tuesday’s meeting in which more information was to be released, including the number of priests accused of sexual abuse in Maine.

A lawyer for the diocese will meet with Attorney General Steven Rowe and Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson soon to discuss whether the information compiled by the diocese is adequate, or whether more information will be needed, said Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the diocese.

The diocese had agreed to search personnel files for allegations of abuse against both active and inactive priests and to give the information to Anderson by Tuesday. But all parties agreed that releasing the data piecemeal could mean the diocese and prosecutors are using different numbers, Bernard said.

All parties agreed that the diocese should wait to release any new information to make sure prosecutors have all the data they need, she said.