Phoenix Diocese’s lawyer quits

PHOENIX (AZ)
The Arizona Republic

Kelly Ettenborough
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 13, 2002 12:00 AM

High-profile attorney Michael Manning has resigned from representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and its bishop in the ongoing investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office into sex-abuse allegations against priests.

Kim Sue Lia Perkes, spokeswoman for the diocese, said the resignation was a mutual decision that had been discussed before last week’s grand jury indictment of two priests on child molestation charges.

“Effective last Sunday night, I’m no longer counsel for the bishop or for the diocese. I can’t ethically say any more. That’s up to the client, under our rules of practice,” Manning said Thursday.