Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown officials covered up the rapes of hundreds of children: grand jury report

By Christian Alexandersen
PennLive
March 1, 2016

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/catholic_diocese_of_altoona-jo.html

A reporter looks at a chart of the results of a Pennsylvania Grand Jury investigation into the child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pa. Mark Pynes

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces the results of a Grand Jury investigation of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces the results of a Grand Jury investigation of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces the results of a Grand Jury investigation of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnsontown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

At least one of the priests in the Grand Jury investigation served at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona, Pa. Mar. 1, 2016. Photo by Mark Pynes

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Altoona, Pa. At least one of the priests in the Grand Jury investigation served here in Altoona, Pa. Mar. 1, 2016. Photo by Mark Pynes

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces the results of a Grand Jury investigation of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona.

Headquarters of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in Altoona, Pa. Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces the results of a Grand Jury investigation of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnsontown diocese over the past 40 years.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Altoona, Pa. was the site of priest abuse in the Grand Jury investigation Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announces results from March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

A poster from the 37th Statewide Investigative Grand Jury shows a timeline of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

A poster from the 37th Statewide Investigative Grand Jury shows a timeline of child sexual abuse by over 50 priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese over the past 40 years. March 1, 2016 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona,

Graffiti near Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Altoona, Pa. At least one of the priests in the Grand Jury investigation served at the church in Altoona, Pa. Mar. 1, 2016. Photo by Mark Pynes

ALTOONA -- A two-year grand jury investigation has revealed the depths reached by leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to cover up the rape and sexual abuse of hundreds of children.

Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the findings of the grand jury investigation Tuesday in Altoona. The investigation found that dozens priests and religious leaders with the diocese sexually abused or raped hundreds of children.

While PennLive digs deeper into the 147-page grand jury report, here are some highlights:

• More than 50 priests and religious leaders within the diocese were involved in the rapes and sexual assaults.
• The earliest abuse case took place 40 years ago.
• The bishop kept a "secret archive" of files on abuse incidents.
• Diocese officials used their power and influence to keep incidents of abuse from being investigated.
• Diocese officials claim to have used their power to handpick public officials -- including mayors and police chiefs.

Check back on PennLive for more information on the grand jury investigation.