Hamilton County prosecutors have asked a judge to open secret court records about sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests.

Mike Allen

        Prosecutor Mike Allen filed the request this week with Common Pleas Judge Fred Cartolano, who has sealed all records linked to the grand jury investigation into the abuse allegations.

        Officials with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati apparently urged the judge to seal the records several months ago.

        But if the judge grants Mr. Allen's request, many of those records would become public.

        It's unclear, however, whether the records would include details about specific abuse allegations, or if they would simply provide new insight into the ongoing legal battle between the prosecutor's office and the archdiocese.

        Either way, Mr. Allen's decision to file such a request indicates that the two sides continue to disagree strongly on how much information should be disclosed to the public.

        Because grand jury proceedings are secret, it is possible that Mr. Allen intends to argue that at least some of the sealed records are not directly related to the grand jury investigation.

        Neither Mr. Allen nor archdiocese officials would comment Thursday.

        The prosecutor began his investigation earlier this year when Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk admitted that the archdiocese continues to employ five priests who have been accused of past sexual misconduct.

        Since that disclosure, four other priests have been suspended or have voluntarily taken leave because of misconduct allegations

        Although the text of Mr. Allen's request to open the records is part of the sealed file, court records show the request was submitted to the judge on Tuesday.

        The court records also indicate that numerous legal memorandums and grand jury subpoenas have been filed in the case during the past two months.

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