[mombonn]

But a lawyer familiar with the church's legal strategy said last night that the cardinal would likely not have been consulted about the negligence claim against the plaintiffs.

Let me get this straight - the cardinal doesn't even know what his attorneys are saying? Give me a break.

[maryz]

. . . the cardinal doesn't even know what his attorneys are saying?

I've worked for years as a legal secretary and paralegal in litigation. The only clients who ever wanted to see or have input into court filings were attorneys themselves. (Obviously, for affidavits, answers to interrogatories, client input is essential; but this was apparently an answer to a complaint.) Some attorneys send copies to the client of anything filed; some don't.