Some, Not All Dioceses Join Pledge Not to Oppose Grand Jury Report Release

By Peter Smith
Pittsburgh Post-gazette
May 17, 2018

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/05/17/Two-catholic-dioceses-appeal-sexual-abuse-pennsylvania-grand-jury-secrecy-provision/stories/201805170174

After Roman Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico of Erie said Wednesday he would “forgo any legal challenges to the grand jury process and its work,” two more Pennsylvania dioceses quickly pledged the same on Thursday.

But two others, the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, would not explicitly rule out a legal challenge. They said they are cooperating with 40th statewide grand jury, which has been investigating sexual abuse by priests and others associated with the church over the past seven decades.

But they are not expressly disavowing some sort of challenge.

“Each diocese is separate and faces a different situation,” said a statement from the Diocese of Harrisburg. “We continue to consider all of our options in law as we move forward.”

Contact: petersmith@post-gazette.com