Heading to Rome for Clergy Sex Abuse Conference

By Paul Wagner
Erie News Now
February 11, 2019

http://www.erienewsnow.com/story/39944537/heading-to-rome-for-clergy-sex-abuse-conference

Two men who say they were abused years ago by Erie Catholic Diocese priests will travel to Rome next week for a conference on clergy sexual abuse.

Pope Francis is holding the meeting with key bishops from around the world.

We spoke by face time today with both Jim Vansickle and James Faluszczak.

Both men testified before the Pennsylvania grand jury that named 301 so-called predator priests and about 1,000 victims.

They say the church must do more, including taking a zero tolerance stance against covering up abuse.

They hope their presence in Rome will give strength to victims.

Faluszczak said, "If that gives victims in Pennsylvania and throughout the world greater courage in going to law enforcement as I did then, mission accomplished."

Vansickle said, "My goal is to go to Rome to represent basically the victims in western Pennsylvania, the Diocese of Erie and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, many of whom have not even come forward yet."

The four day conference begins February 21 at the Vatican.