Frank DeRosa, a spokesman for the diocese, declined to comment on the suit, saying diocesan lawyers had not yet reviewed the court papers.

She said that the diocesan lawyers were reviewing it and that neither she nor Bishop Murphy had read it.

And, when interviewing alleged victims, he purposely disguised the fact that he was a diocesan lawyer as well as a priest.

"It's very contentious," the prosecutor said of his fight with diocesan lawyers to get records of abusers.

During court arguments Wednesday, a diocesan lawyer, Kenneth Mullaney, contended the lawsuit had been filed long after the deadline on various charges had passed.

Like other diocesan lawyers, Mr. Scamardo said, he often added a clause specifying how much the victim would have to pay the church for breaking confidentiality.

Some diocesan lawyers in California and Wisconsin had earlier attempted to suppress this voting guide in 2004.

Father Fischer was removed from the priesthood in 1993 after others had accused him of sexual abuse, said Mr. DeFeo, the diocesan lawyer.

Some board members met quietly in St. Louis with a California bishop and diocesan lawyers, and researchers conducting the study.

Mr. Rubino said he began negotiating a settlement with diocesan lawyers.