The Special Commission appointed in March to examine the way the archdiocese has handled sexual abuse cases, past and present, recommended that "all cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct by priests should have ultimate factual determinations made of whether those allegations are true." The commission also recommended that after the criminal investigation or prosecution has ended that "independent and impartial adjudicators should be retained to assist the archdiocese in such factual findings."

Fiorenza will serve as that outside, independent and impartial adjudicator, reviewing cases that have been returned to the archdiocese from the respective district attorney's office. He will also establish the process and timeframes to be used in such a review and make determinations as to whether additional investigative resources are necessary on a case-by-case basis.

"This is an important issue facing not only the Church, but the entire community," Fiorenza said. I am humbled to be asked to serve in this capacity and will do the utmost to ensure the rights of all involved in any case are respected and that justice is served."

"I am pleased that someone with the credentials of John Fiorenza has agreed to provide his professional experience as an attorney and judge to assist in the resolution of these current cases and any future cases involving the sexual abuse of minors," Bishop Sklba said. "This is another step in implementing the charter adopted by the U.S. bishops in Dallas, as well as the recommendations of the Special Commission, assuring the people of our community that allegations are handled justly, appropriately and objectively."

Fiorenza will also be asked to review two cases of priests who serve in active ministry, but have had past allegations of sexual abuse leveled against them. In both cases, no final determination as to whether sexual abuse occurred was ever reached. The archdiocesan college of consultors, a group of priests advising Bishop Sklba in his administration of the diocese, recently asked that more information be provided before making a recommendation that either priest be permanently removed from active ministry. Fiorenza will now assume responsibility for providing such reports.

Fiorenza was born in Rockford, Ill., on March 13, 1932. He attended Marquette University and earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. He attended Marquette University Law School, earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Fiorenza later attended the National College of State Trial Judges.

From 1956 to 1966, Fiorenza was a practicing attorney in Milwaukee County. He served as Trustee of the Village of Brown Deer and Municipal Judge of Brown Deer. In June 1966, Governor Warren P. Knowles appointed him Milwaukee County Judge and Fiorenza won a general election for a full term in 1967. He resigned the Judicial Office in 1972 to resume private practice and continues today.

Fiorenza is a past president of the Milwaukee Bar Association and has received several awards, including Marquette University Alumnus of the Year.