Roman Catholic religious orders have until September to release secret files on their priests who were accused of molesting children while working in the Los Angeles archdiocese, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Documents must be released detailing allegations against dozens of priests who belonged to orders such as the Vincentians, Claretians and Marinists, among others, Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias said.
The first files could be public within three weeks, lead plaintiff attorney Ray Boucher said.
The archdiocese released files on 120 priests earlier this year under a judge's order after a five-year legal battle.
The disclosure was part of a 2007 settlement that paid $660 million to more than 500 plaintiffs.
Many priests who worked in the archdiocese but belonged to separate religious orders were not included in that initial release.
