Harrisburg Diocese 'saddened and shocked' by report on Altoona-Johnstown clergy sex abuse

By Steve Marroni
PennLive
March 1, 2016

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/harrisburg_diocese_saddened_an.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

As the state attorney general released a grand-jury report detailing four decades of sexual abuse at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, local church officials say they are "sad and shocked" and are asking for prayers for all of the victims.

"The sexual abuse of minors is an appalling sin and a crime," Diocese of Harrisburg spokesman Joseph Aponick said Tuesday. "That is why the Diocese of Harrisburg has made strong and aggressive steps to combat it."

And at the Altoona-Johnstown diocese, church officials are saying they cooperated fully with the investigation and will continue to do their part to protect children.

"This is a painful and difficult time in our Diocesan Church," Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said in a statement released Tuesday. "I deeply regret any harm that has come to children, and I urge the faithful to join me in praying for the victims of abuse."

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane on Tuesday released a grand jury report containing information about many cases of children being sexually abused and raped by more than 50 Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown priests and religious leaders over 40 years.

The report calls for reforms, such as abolishing the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against minors and urging the state General Assembly to suspend the civil statute of limitations on sexual-abuse claims.

In the press release issued by the Altoona-Johnstown diocese, spokesman Tony DeGol said the diocese's youth protection policy calls for mandatory reporting for all abuse allegations to civil authorities. It also requires criminal background checks and education for clergy, employees and volunteers who work with children.

Locally, Aponick said the Diocese of Harrisburg has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse, and any clergy, employee or volunteer who has committed such an act will be permanently removed from the ministry.

When a report of possible abuse arises, he said the diocese promptly relays it to the authorities.

Since 2004, more than 31,000 employees and volunteers have taken and passed online courses that instruct them on how to recognize child abuse and report it to the proper authorities, he said.

Aponick added the diocese has taken many additional steps in recent years to ensure children will be in a safe place when they participate in programs at its' parishes and schools

"The safety of children is always uppermost in our mind," Aponick said.  

The diocese encourages anyone with knowledge of sexual abuse to call the state ChildLine, 1-800-932-0313. The diocese also has a victim's assistance coordinator who can be reached at 1-800-626-1608.