The NFL is not investigating the New Orleans Saints over advising the local Catholic church’s messaging in response to a lawsuit accusing the archdiocese of covering up allegations of sexual abuse, a league source said. Nor does the league plan to do so in the future unless Saints emails show troublesome actions.



Five days ago reports emerged that the team’s spokesman, Greg Bensel, and other Saints officials advised the local Roman Catholic archdiocese on how to respond to charges it did not remove a church deacon who abused children. Lawyers representing victims are seeking to disclose publicly the emails from the Saints, a move the team resists.



“The advice was simple and never wavering,” the Saints said in a statement shortly after the Associated Press reported the news. “Be direct, open and fully transparent, while making sure that all law enforcement agencies were alerted. The New Orleans Saints, Greg Bensel and (owner) Mrs. Gayle...