HEAL OUR CHURCH RESPONSE TO COURT OF APPEALS DECISION, DIV. 1
March 2, 2026

We have learned today that the Court of Appeals, Div. 1, has affirmed the right of the Attorney General of the State of Washington to subpoena the records of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle relating to the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

This decision represents a great victory for survivors and members of the Catholic Church.  For years, Heal Our Church has requested the Archdiocese to make the files available for independent review.  It is only through the process of full disclosure that meaningful healing and authentic reconciliation can be found.  As the Court today indicated, no institution, religious or secular, can claim immunity from an inquiry into allegations of the abuse of minors and the coverup thereof.

It is our hope that the Archdiocese ends this ‘slow walk’ of accountability and cooperates fully with the Attorney General.  Further delays and appeals only serve to raise more questions about the good faith response of the Archdiocese and the extent of the coverup.

Further inquiries to Heal Our Church can be made to Terrence Carroll, terry@terrencecarroll.com, 206-930-4181, or Colleen Kinerk, colleen@kirklandlaw.com,

206-334-7300.