Deposition of Top Church Official Released

(video courtesy of Jeff Anderson and Associates-YouTube)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Lawyers for alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests say a former top official in the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese denied and minimized the problem.

The lawyers released a video deposition Thursday from the Rev. Kevin McDonough, the archdiocese's former vicar general. McDonough handled any complaints of abuse.

In the video, McDonough acknowledges that he chose not to talk to St. Paul police looking into some allegations. He also acknowledged declining to be interviewed by a panel set up by the archdiocese to review its procedures. McDonough says most of his actions had been documented and he didn't feel the need to defend his record.

Attorneys released a similar deposition earlier this week from Archbishop John Nienstedt. They say they will go to court to seek more time with both men.