Advocate protests outside cathedral

By Karina Cheung
We Are Central PA
March 5, 2016

http://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/advocate-protests-outside-cathedral

Altoona, Blair County, Pa.

The victims of sexual abuse are seeing support from people outside of our state. 

An advocate from New Jersey protested outside of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Altoona Saturday. 

Robert Hoatson is a former priest and now an abuse victim advocate.

He wants justice for the victims that suffered sexual abuse by church officials.

That's why he traveled to Altoona from New Jersey to pass out leaflets calling for justice. 

"We're here today to call for finally the resignation of one of the men who lead the cover up,” explained Hoatson, “who is the reason why much of this has been covered up."

Bishop Adamec and Bishop Hogan are cited in the Attorney General’s grand jury report for covering up sexual abuse crimes dating back to the 1940’s. 

We spoke with a woman, who didn't want to be identified, who's loved ones were victims of the abuse. 

"I have personally had experiences with Bishop Adamec through sexual abuse and he more or less just called the children liars, even when he knows it is the truth."

She says victims need to come forward to make a difference. 

"It just continues and continues as long as we have people like Adamec in our church it will continue people have got to realize they're mothers and fathers and they need to back these kids up, not make them feel ashamed."

Hoatson hopes that more victims will come forward and seek help. 

"People who have been suffering and hurting can now come forward and say me too and I'm going to be believed this time and people are not going to reject me and throw me away, I know have people who are going to help me."

Hoatson is the president of Road to Recovery, which assists sexual abuse victims.

He says that Road to Recovery will be there for any victims that ask for help.

Find out more about Road to Recovery and their counseling services on their website.