They also implicitly acknowledged that their past efforts to have the Vatican remove priests who abused children had failed miserably.

Those documents also suggested that in certain instances, he removed priests only when new reports of abuse were received or lawsuits were filed.

They called for removing priests accused of abuse from service, sending them into treatment and providing victims with counseling and pastoral care.

Bishop Murphy, who took over the diocese last September, removed several priests from their duties, based on his review of the files.

In the past, many bishops have removed priests who faced old allegations.

He later suspended Fisher in 2002 due to "the media climate," but said he had no plans to remove other such priests.

This month, the archbishop revised diocese policy to include removing priests accused of viewing child pornography.

The most contentious issue is whether there should be no exceptions made to removing priests with a history of abuse from ministry work.

In certain instances, the documents suggest, he removed priests only when lawsuits were filed or new reports of previous abuse were received.

If found unsatisfactory, it would be possible to remove such priests with greater ease.