Unanswered questions for Harrisburg diocese (editorial), by Brandie Kessler, York Daily Record (August 23, 2016)

After the York Daily Record published a story naming 15 priests with connections to the Harrisburg diocese who had been accused of sexual abuse of children, we invited Bishop Ronald W. Gainer to meet with our editorial board.

Some of the 15 names were a revelation because they had not been previously acknowledged publicly by the diocese.

We believe it’s important to get that information out there so victims of abuse can know they are not alone. In many cases, victims have only come forward after learning through published reports that their tormentors have been accused of harming others.

Those 15 names might have been a revelation to some, but we know there are other priests who have been accused who were not included on that list. That’s because in 2007 the church said publicly that 24 priests with connections to the diocese had been accused of sexual abuse either here or elsewhere.

We know 15 names. Who are the others? Since 2007, has the diocese become aware of even more? Is the number still 24 – or is it more?

The Harrisburg diocese acknowledged the accused clergymen that YDR had become aware of through other sources but declined to shed light on other cases.

We wanted the opportunity to discuss these issues with Bishop Gainer. Through a diocese spokesman, he declined our invitation. Instead, his spokesman provided a guest column addressing the issue of abuse.

He said his heart aches for victims of abuse and urged any victim to come forward – no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

He said that “no one in active ministry in our Diocese has a credible accusation of abuse against them.”

“I want to acknowledge the role of media in bringing this issue forward and thank you for reporting on the Diocese’s efforts to combat and prevent sexual abuse,” he wrote.

Over the last couple of months, the diocese has not answered these questions posed by YDR reporter Brandie Kessler:

Has the Diocese of Harrisburg previously publicly listed all accused priests?
Can the diocese provide information about all priests who have credible allegations against them? It was reported in July 2007 that the diocese had received 46 credible sexual assault allegations against 24 priests dating back to 1950. YDR named 15 accused priests. Who are the others?
Can the diocese provide the exact number of victims, allegations of abuse and priests accused since it started keeping records?
Has the diocese ever initiated a confidentiality agreement with a victim of clergy abuse?
In which counties within the diocese has alleged abuse occurred?
When and where have accused priests served?
Has the diocese talked to congregants where the accused priests served about the allegations?
When and why did some of the accused priests come to the diocese and when and why did they leave?

While Bishop Gainer’s compassionate words for abuse victims are laudable, those words are not enough.

The diocese must be fully transparent – either voluntarily or, more likely, through an investigation by the state attorney general’s office like the one that revealed horrific abuse problems in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese.

If you were abused by clergy or know someone who was, you can report the abuse to law enforcement, to the ChildLine by calling 1-800-932-0313, and by calling the Harrisburg diocese's victim assistance line at 1-800-626-1608.

All survivors of all sexual abuse may contact the York County's Victim Assistance Center, which provides free, confidential counseling, at 1-800-422-3204.