Hundreds of children were sexually abused over at least 40 years by priests and other religious leaders in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, a statewide grand jury found. At least 50 priests or religious leaders were involved in the abuse, and diocesan leaders systematically concealed the abuse to protect the church’s image, according to a grand jury report released on March 1 by the attorney general of Pennsylvania, Kathleen Kane. Kane said that much of the evidence revealed in the report came from secret archives maintained by the diocese that were available only to the bishops who led the diocese over the decades. Victims also testified to the grand jury, which was convened by Kane in April 2014. Kane said the investigation was continuing. “This is a painful and difficult time in our diocesan church,” Bishop Mark. L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown said in a statement. “I deeply regret any harm that has come to children, and I urge the faithful to join me in praying for all victims of abuse.”
Abuse in Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
Blessed Carlo Acutis offers a counterexample for our digital age: a teenager who embraced technology not as an escape, but as a tool for communion—with others, and with God.
“Carney is responding to the [immigration] backlash but also to the Trump effect, which is placing more pressure on Canada to tighten its border.”
The war in Gaza has become one in which “the heart-rending price is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick.” Israel, along with its allies, especially including the United States, must reckon that cost as well.
But as Catholic women, we are called to embrace our bodies, with all their changes—hormonal or otherwise—and not to hide from what they reveal at different stages.