Emails detail Saints' aid to archdiocese in scandal

The New Orleans Saints' president and other top team officials orchestrated a monthslong , crisis-communications blitz.

The emails shed new light on the Saints ' foray into a fraught topic far from the gridiron.

They also showed how various New Orleans institutions rallied around church leaders at a critical moment.

The Saints said last week that the partnership is a thing of the past.

Judge Jay Zainey , who was copied by the Saints on the public relations efforts, cheered Bensel on from his personal email account.

Bensel had the Saints ' backing and blessing through what he called a " Galileo moment," suggesting Aymond would be a trailblazer in releasing a credibly accused clergy list.

The list marked a watershed in heavily Catholic New Orleans -- a long-awaited mea culpa to parishioners intended to usher in healing and accountability.

It came at a time when church leaders were seeking to retain public trust and financial support.

The Advocate removed a notice from an article that had called for clergy abuse victims to reach out.

The publisher of the newspaper says outreach "does not dilute our journalistic standards or keep us from pursuing the truth" It was The Advocate 's reporting that prompted Bensel to help the church, emails show.