"Catholics Embrace the Need to Make This Right for Survivors," Pa. Catholic Conference Says

By Stephanie Sadowski
Penn Live
August 1, 2018

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/catholics_embrace_the_need_to.html

The spokeswoman of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference called the Diocese of Harrisburg's decision to name the 71 priests and personnel accused of child sexual abuse "another sobering moment" and encouraged victims to report abuse immediately.

It also shows a commitment to "make this right," said Amy Hill.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is the public affairs arm of the Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania.

"Today is another sobering moment that further reveals the tragedy that has occurred. It also shows that Catholics embrace the need to make this right for survivors," Ms. Hill said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Every diocese in Pennsylvania has resources available to help survivors and their families pay for counselors and treatment programs of their choice or other support necessary for healing. We encourage anyone who has been abused to report it immediately and seek help by calling the toll-free Pennsylvania ChildLine number at 800-932-0313 or their local law enforcement."

The diocese published a list of clergy, seminarians and church personnel accused of sexual abuse of a child since the 1940s, making sure to stipulate that "the term 'accused' is emphasized to note that the list includes summations of accusations; the list does not include assessments of credibility or guilt.'"

The list includes 37 Diocese of Harrisburg priests, three deacons of the diocese, six seminarians, nine priests from other dioceses and 16 from religious communities.

None of the individuals on the list are currently in ministry or in service in the diocese.