Files: Abuse by priests often happened on trips

Documents released by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on sexual abuse of children by priests show the incidents often occurred on overnight trips.

The Duluth News Tribune reported that of 42 priest files released Monday, 22 contain references to molestation on camping trips, a cross-state bicycle ride and at least one Caribbean cruise.

The newspaper said geographic details aren’t always specific. Many incidents are noted vaguely as occurring “up north” — a generalization that sometimes refers to suburban Milwaukee, sometimes Wisconsin’s northern counties, but more often left unidentified.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Julie Wolf said it’s difficult to determine a pattern from the records, such as any propensity by priests to molest children on trips. She said policies have been in place since the early 2000s to protect children on church trips.