DAS Warned Adamec of Sex Abuse

By Phil Ray
Altoona Mirror
March 11, 2016

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/631977/DAs-warned-Adamec-of-sex-abuse.html?nav=742

District attorneys from Blair, Cambria and Centre counties sent letters to Bishop Joseph Adamec of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in May 2002 informing him of the laws involved with the sexual abuse of minors and outlining the procedures he should follow in reporting allegations so they could be investigated and prosecuted.

Blair County District Attorney Richard A. Consiglio said Thursday he came across the letters when he was asked by a statewide grand jury to provide whatever information his office had about sexual abuse by priests or employees of the diocese.

The Blair DA said his office cooperated with the grand jury.

He also gave testimony before the grand jury concerning what his office knew about sexual abuse of minors by clergy or other members of the church.

On Thursday, he searched his records at the request of the Mirror after his predecessor, Dave Gorman remembered a meeting concerning representatives from the Blair, Cambria and Centre county district attorney offices in which they discussed the handling of child sexual abuse cases involving church personnel.

A letter written by Gorman on May 30, 2002, instructed the bishop to relay to the prosecutor's office the name of the victim involved in any allegations, the nature of the incident and a contact person.