The Archdiocese of Portland has released 30 previously secret documents detailing among other things years of sexual abuse of children by priests.

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They included psychological evaluations, allegations by victims and some candid detail of what went on between some priests and their young parishioners over several years.

 More: Read archdiocese documents

The documents make clear that church officials had been aware of abuse problems for years and refused to acknowledge them.

The archdiocese released the papers as part of a settlement agreed to in April.

Portland lawyer Kelly Clark, who represented more than 40 abuse victims, said he was blindsided by yesterday's action because there had been an agreement with the church to release them jointly.

A statement by Archbishop John Vlazny said the records were released "as part of the process of healing and reconciliation." He said most of the information in the documents was decades old and that the church reacts differently today.