NEW YORK -- New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan has been deposed in connection to accusations of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling says Dolan's deposition started Wednesday afternoon in New York City. It is unclear how long it is expected to last.

Dolan led the Archdiocese of Milwaukee before he was appointed to the New York position in 2009.

The Milwaukee archdiocese is facing numerous lawsuits over how it handled clergy sex abuse cases. It filed for bankruptcy in January 2011.

Dolan has been mentioned in some church circles as a potential — albeit longshot — choice to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, who is resigning next week. (AP)