December 5, 2018
Names in redacted grand jury report on abuse can't be released, Pennsylvania high court says
HARRISBURG, Pa. – In a 6-1 decision Dec. 3, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said the identities of some clergy accused of abuse that were redacted from a grand jury report issued in mid-August must remain permanently blocked from release.
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International
September 20, 2018
Class-action lawsuit filed against eight Pennsylvania dioceses for abuse cover-up
PITTSBURGH – A class-action lawsuit was filed Sept. 17 against eight Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania demanding the dioceses provide proof that they submitted the names of all suspected predators.
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International
September 7, 2018
New York becomes sixth state to launch probe of church sex abuse records
WASHINGTON – The New York State Office of the Attorney General is the latest to announce that it is launching an investigation of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic Church clergy, and at least two of the state's eight dioceses confirmed receiving subpoenas seeking access to its records.
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International
WASHINGTON – In an Aug. 16 interview with Eternal Word Television Network, Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico said the only way to regain the trust of the laity after decades-long claims of sexual abuse by priests and others at six Pennsylvania dioceses is by deeds and one of those deeds may mean getting rid of bishops who hid abusers.
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International
August 16, 2018
Pennsylvania bishop apologizes, explains diocese's 30-year record dealing with abuse
PITTSBURGH – Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh expressed sorrow and apologized to young victims of clergy sexual abuse, while explaining his diocese's 30-year record of working to remove offenders, assist victims and prevent further abuse.
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International
Awful, disgusting, horrifying, sickening — one runs out of adjectives in describing the actions of abusive priests chronicled in the just-released Pennsylvania grand jury report.
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Guest Columnists
WASHINGTON – After the first allegations of abuse against Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick were publicized in mid-June, employees at the U.S. bishops' conference headquarters in Washington were bracing for calls from Catholics confused, outraged or anything in between regarding the emerging scandal.
Published in
International
August 15, 2018
Report: More than 1,000 cases of minors raped, groomed by clergy, hidden by culture of secrecy
WASHINGTON – The report begins dramatically, imploring its readers: "We, the members of this grand jury, need you to hear this."
Published in
International
August 14, 2018
Pennsylvania grand jury says church purposely hiding sex abuse allegations for decades
WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania grand jury report issued Aug. 14 paints a picture of a Catholic Church in six of the state's dioceses that for decades handled claims of sex abuse of minors under its care by hiding the allegations and its victims.
Published in
International
November 1, 2015
Pennsylvania priest builds ministry one Lego at a time
MOSCOW, Pa. - Fr. Bob Simon fell in love with two things at the age of five — the Catholic Church and building with Lego.
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International