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Victim Advocates Meet with Bishop, Volunteer to Help Church Protect Future Generations

By Dave Sutor
The Tribune-Democrat
April 12, 2017

http://www.tribdem.com/news/victim-advocates-meet-with-bishop-volunteer-to-help-church-protect/article_f0bc9c60-1f34-11e7-ab30-8b9db4ac8cf7.html



What was described as a “very emotional conversation” took place between Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Bishop Mark Bartchak and a group of prominent local advocates for victims of child sexual abuse on Tuesday.

In a private meeting, Bartchak spoke with the co-founders of a new local Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests chapter – Thomas Venditti and John Nesbella, reported victim Shaun Dougherty and another unidentified victim.

The get-together lasted about 2 1/2 hours, as the participants discussed an array of subjects that have arisen since the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General released a grand jury report in 2016 that alleged the diocese conducted a decades-long cover-up to protect predator priests.

“It went well,” Dougherty said. “I think it was a productive meeting.”

Dougherty felt the meeting was “emotional.”

Venditti said Bartchak “shed tears actually.”

Both left with a sense the bishop is taking the issue seriously.

“I think he wants to make it right,” Venditti said. “It’s just a question of is he willing to actually bring victims in who will help?”

Dougherty added: “I believe that Bishop Bartchak has a real opportunity here to right a horrific wrong. And I just hope that he rises to that challenge. And I’ll support him as long as he has the same goal as I have, which is to protect future generations of children and take care of past victims.”

The victim advocates also offered to help the church.

“I volunteered my services for the diocese’s council and for the Vatican council,” Dougherty said. “I offered to be a victim rep on both of those councils, and I hope – I greatly hope – that the diocese and the Vatican will strongly consider me for one of those two positions if not both of them.”

Tony DeGol, spokesman for the diocese, declined to comment, saying he does not discuss the bishop’s private meetings.

Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5056. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Sutor.

 

 

 

 

 




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