Diocese Cooperating in Investigation into Abuse, "a Grave Sin and Crime"
By Kurt Bresswein
The Diocese of Allentown this week affirmed its commitment to helping bring to justice those within its ranks who abuse minors. Bishop John O. Barres issued a statement Sunday saying the division of the Roman Catholic church is cooperating in a new Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office inquiry into handling of allegations of abuse. Diocese of Allentown spokesman Matt Kerr would not previously confirm the diocese's involvement in the grand jury investigation, or say if the diocese was subpoenaed. Six Pennsylvania dioceses are under investigation, Barres wrote in the letter to parishioners, posted on the diocesan website. The inquiry follows the Allentown Diocese's cooperation in 2002 with district attorneys from the five counties that make up the diocese, during which records were shared of priests against whom allegations of abuse of minors had been leveled. "Since then, we have notified the relevant district attorneys of claims of abuse," Barres wrote. "The state attorney general's office has subpoenaed our records on all possible abusers, and we are in the process of turning over that material. ... "The Diocese of Allentown is committed to the protection and safety of the children and young people entrusted to its care. To this end, it is the policy of the Diocese of Allentown to cooperate with law enforcement. We will cooperate with the attorney general's office just as we have cooperated with the district attorneys." Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin earlier this month announced child porn and related charges against now-former Msgr. John Mraz, who had led St. Ann's Church in Emmaus. The appointment of Mraz's successor at St. Ann's, Msgr. Edward Coyle, was announced over the weekend, The Morning Call reports. In the days following Mraz's arrest, the statewide investigation into child sex abuse claims was revealed by a state lawmaker who had previously said he was abused by an Allentown Diocese priest as a boy. "Abuse of minors is a grave sin and crime," Barres wrote. "The Diocese of Allentown has zero tolerance for offenders and, as noted above, reports allegations of abuse to the appropriate authorities. "The diocese also has educated, and will continue to educate, thousands of children and adults on how to spot and report abuse to the proper authorities. In addition, we provide assistance to victims of abuse." Barres invited anyone with knowledge of incidents of abuse of minors, either within the church or in other settings, to call the State ChildLine at 800-932-0313, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office hotline at 888-538-8541 or local law enforcement. "As noted in all of our church bulletins and in the diocesan newspaper, the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to provide assistance to anyone, who as a minor, was abused by a priest, deacon or employee or volunteer of the diocese or its parishes," Barres wrote. "Her direct line is 800-791-9209." Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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