Judge Resigns from Bishop Mccort Board of Trustees

By Lauren Hensley
WJAC
March 7, 2016

http://wjactv.com/news/local/judge-resigns-from-bishop-mccort-board-of-trustees

A Cambria County judge has resigned from the Bishop McCort Board of Trustees.

Judge Patrick Kiniry was named in the state attorney general's grand jury report that uncovered widespread sexual abuse allegations and a cover-up involving the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese.

Kiniry was named in particular during the investigation into Monsignor Francis McCaa in 1985.

The chairman of the board of trustees confirmed Kiniry's resignation with 6News on Monday. 6News asked for a copy of the letter of resignation and date it was submitted but our requests went unanswered Monday.

The grand jury report says Kiniry, who was at the time the assistant district attorney of Cambria County met with Bishop James Hogan. The document says it was agreed to have McCaa pulled from the church and given counseling.

Judge Kiniry issued a statement to 6News.

"Since the release of the grand jury findings , Judge Kiniry has like everyone else has been reading and digesting the contents of that report. As it has been reported, Judge Kiniry was mentioned in the report in connection with his service in 1985 as the Assistant District Attorney of Cambria County, under the than District Attorney Gerald Long. While, as a person and concerned member of this community Judge Kiniry would like to respond and comment on some of the content of the report and media accounts thereof, as a judge he simply cannot."

"Rule 2.10 of the code of judicial conduct forbids Judge Kiniry from making any public statement that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending or impending in any court. The fairness of pending or impending matters before the courts in this Commonwealth is more important to the judge than his right to publicly defend himself. Judge Kiniry apologizes for the brevity of this statement but it is all the judge is permitted to say."

The Survivors Network of those abused by priests called Kiniry's actions "irresponsible." in a statement a spokesperson for SNAP said they wants to see consequences.

SNAP is holding a confidential support meeting in Blair County Tuesday. The meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Antis Public Library.