Allentown Diocese mum on 800-page state grand jury report into sexual abuse
The Allentown Diocese had no comment Friday after receiving a grand jury report of an investigation into sexual abuse by priests and laypeople in six Pennsylvania dioceses.
Matt Kerr, spokesman for the diocese, did not respond to calls seeking comment. Attorney General Josh Shapiros office turned over the 800-plus page report to church officials in the dioceses of Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Erie this week. It was compiled after a statewide grand jury heard testimony for two years.
Under state law, if a grand jury report is critical of an individual not indicted for a criminal offense the supervising judge may permit that person to submit a response before a final report is published.
That is what is occurring at least at the Erie Diocese. Citing attorney Mark Rush who represents the diocese, GoErie.com Friday reported that Bishop Lawrence Persico is writing a response in a manner that is appropriate given the context of the report and consistent with Bishop Persicos commitment to transparency and his policy of protecting children and youth in the diocese.
Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-diocese-allentown-grand-jury-20180525-story.html