Advocate for Clergy Sex Abuse Victims Criticizes Erie Bishop Persico

By Paul Wagner
Erie News Now
April 1, 2019

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40231763/advocate-for-clergy-sex-abuse-victims-criticizes-erie-bishop-persico

An advocate for victims of clergy sex abuse is speaking out against Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico.

Bob Hoatson of the Road to Recovery, says he is not happy with a statement released by Persico last week.

The statement coming after the diocese paid a $2 million settlement to a victim of defrocked priest David Poulson.

Persico repeating earlier statements, saying he was not aware of concerns about Poulson's behavior until January 2018.

Former Bishop Donald Trautman wrote a memo dealing with concerns about Poulson in 2010. But he has said the information was sketchy, and said there was no cover up.

Persico maintains no concerns about Poulson were voiced to him when he became bishop in 2012.

Persico said as soon as he got that information he took action.