Associated Press article in the Dallas News - May 5, 2003 — While verifying the Dallas News link (not directly available but do a search site for Bishop Thomas O'Brien), information was found naming numerous Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals as protectors of pedophiles (Including Bishop O'Brien).
        The analysis reveals that church leaders often dealt with allegations of sexual abuse by reassigning priests rather than disciplining them and that some of the worst repeat offenders were transferred into predominantly Hispanic parishes.
        The 42 parishes exposed to troubled priests account for 48 percent of the parishes in the diocese. But that number could grow because, so far, only 24 priests or former priests accused of sexual misconduct have been identified through public records or by church officials.
        In November, Bishop Thomas O'Brien said at least 50 priests, former priests and church employees were accused of molesting children in the last 30 years.
        He refused to identify them, citing privacy concerns.

The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) - Jan. 14, 2003
        After months of sad revelations, the only argument O'Brien can make on his own behalf is that, years ago, transferring potentially dangerous priests from parish to parish and urging victims and their families not to come forward was acceptable. In fact, everybody was doing it.

Phoenix, Ariz. BISHOP THOMAS O'BRIEN He has a 20-year record of sheltering priests accused of abuse but has largely remained out of the national spotlight. Criminal investigators say he has been uncooperative - and a district attorney recently opened a preliminary inquiry into the diocese's handling of sex-abuse allegations. Since the mid-1980s, at least four Phoenix priests have served jail time in connection with molesting children. The bishop has advocated lighter sentences and let one priest work after he was sentenced to probation. When the most recent abuse case surfaced this year, Bishop O'Brien criticized the Phoenix press for reporting a 1999 psychological evaluation that said the Rev. Patrick Colleary's "history will be repeated in some way" and that he shouldn't "work with minors or women." Bishop O'Brien kept Father Colleary active until May despite knowing of six complaints - including that he raped and impregnated a young woman and that he fondled an altar boy. Father Colleary, who has received therapy, denied most of the wrongdoings and said his relationship with the woman was consensual. In the case of the Rev. Joseph M. Lessard, Bishop O'Brien dismissed previous complaints and assigned him to a teaching job. Father Lessard was later accused of performing oral sex on a 13-year-old in the boy's room while his parents were down the hallway. When police investigated in the mid-1980s, Bishop O'Brien refused to tell them about a confession the priest made to him, according to court records. Father Lessard eventually admitted the molestation and was put on probation. After treatment, he transferred to the Midwest as a hospital chaplain. The diocese denied knowing his exact location not long after he left.