Pennsylvania: Over 300 clergy accused of sex abuse in new report

Source: USCCB, Archdioceses of Washington, Vatican Media

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has released a shocking report detailing sex abuse in the Catholic Church in the state over the past 70 years and naming more than 300 accused clergymen.

Six of the eight dioceses in Pennsylvania were investigated, while the other two have already been the subject of previous investigations. The report was prepared by a jury, officially charged under US procedural law in a non-public procedure and with the help of police investigating possible criminal behaviour, and initiated by the State Attorney General.

The 900-page report took two years to complete and is the most comprehensive ever produced by a US government institution on abuse cases. In addition to the names mentioned, the dossier accuses the Church of following its own "script" in covering abuse cases.

The document states that young boys and girls, as well as teenagers, were abused by clergy. "All of them were brushed aside by church leaders who preferred to protect the abusers and their institution above all," the report reads. Due to alleged cover-up efforts by the church's senior officials, most of the cases are too old for prosecution, the grand jury noted. But officials warned there may be more indictments as the investigation continues.

One thousand victims have been identified, although the overall number is thought to be higher still.

All eight dioceses in Pennsylvania have responded to the report.

The Bishop of Pittsburgh, David Zubik, wrote in his statement that nowhere was there any desire to "diminish the pain that has arisen."

A statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia acknowledged: "It is painful for anyone who reads it, especially for survivors of sexual abuse and their families," and continued, "We are deeply sorry for their pain and remain on the way to healing."

In a separate statement, the Diocese of Scranton calls for guarantees to ensure that "no child is a victim of abuse and that no culprit is protected." The same Diocese has published the names of 70 offenders, priests and lay people, including some not mentioned in the Grand Jury report, on its website.

The Diocese of Erie has publicised a list of 72 people, including clergy and lay men and women, credibly accused of actions that would disqualify them from working with youth. These include names of 31 offenders who have since died, and a former bishop. According to the diocesan website, the bishop in question failed to investigate allegations of abuse in his area of competence. The current Bishop of Erie, Lawrence Persico - whose cooperation with the investigation was positively noted by the Grand Jury - has welcomed the report and has written personal letters to each of the abuse victims.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Harrisburg, Ronald W Gainer, has said: "We will continue to make amends for the sins of our past and offer prayers and support to all victims of these actions". "We are committed to continuing and intensifying positive change to ensure that such atrocities never happen again... I want children, parents, parishioners, students, staff, clergy and the public to know that our Churches and schools are safe. There is nothing we take more seriously than the protection of those who enter through our doors".

Cardinal Daniel N DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is hosting a series of meetings this week responding to the broader issue of safe environments within the Church. An update will be offered upon their conclusion.

In response to the Pennsylvania grand jury report, Cardinal DiNardo joined Bishop Timothy L Doherty of Lafayette in Indiana, Chairman for the USCCB's Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, in issuing the following joint statement:

"The report of the Pennsylvania grand jury again illustrates the pain of those who have been victims of the crime of sexual abuse by individual members of our clergy, and by those who shielded abusers and so facilitated an evil that continued for years or even decades. We are grateful for the courage of the people who aided the investigation by sharing their personal stories of abuse. As a body of bishops, we are shamed by and sorry for the sins and omissions by Catholic priests and Catholic bishops.

"We are profoundly saddened each time we hear about the harm caused as a result of abuse, at the hands of a clergyman of any rank. The USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People and the office of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection will continue to offer avenues to healing for those who have been abused. We are committed to work in determined ways so that such abuse cannot happen.

"The Pennsylvania grand jury report covers a span of more than 70 years. In 2002 the US Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which commits us to respond promptly and compassionately to victims, report the abuse of minors, remove offenders and take ongoing action to prevent abuse. This Charter was revised and updated in 2011 and again in 2018. We pledge to maintain transparency and to provide for the permanent removal of offenders from ministry and to maintain safe environments for everyone. All policies and procedures regarding training and background check requirements are made publicly available by dioceses and eparchies.

"We pray that all survivors of sexual abuse find healing, comfort and strength in God's loving presence as the Church pledges to continue to restore trust through accompaniment, communion, accountability and justice."