A Cincinnati grand jury cleared the way Monday for an investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

        The grand jury issued a subpoena that requires the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to turn over all records related to sexual misconduct allegations involving priests and children.

        Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen, along with other prosecutors in the 19-county archdiocese, demanded the records last week.

        Church officials agreed to cooperate Friday, but asked for the subpoena to ensure that the names of priests and victims remain secret.

        The prosecutor's investigation will be the first of its kind in Cincinnati. The records will include years — possibly decades — of misconduct allegations.

        “We will supply the information the subpoena seeks in a timely fashion,” said archdiocese spokesman Dan Andriacco.

        Mr. Allen said he expects the first batch of records within a few days. He said church attorneys have told him they consider some of the records confidential because of attorney-client privilege and priest-penitent privilege.

        Prosecutors demanded the records after church officials disclosed that they had substantiated misconduct allegations against “fewer than five” priests who remain with the archdiocese.

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