31.   Company spokeswoman Jill Bratina and plaintiffs attorneys characterized the talks as preliminary.

32.   One plaintiffs attorney wants the case put off until the resolution of congressional and independent inquiries under way in Washington.

33.   The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, but plaintiffs attorneys said it could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

34.   In this case, plaintiff attorneys argue church leaders engaged in conspiracy by keeping secret files on priests accused of pedophilia.

35.   The suit was filed by New York plaintiff attorney Christopher Lovell, who could not be reached for comment.