PENNSYLVANIA
Reading Eagle

By Karen Shuey

Two Roman Catholic bishops who led a Pennsylvania diocese helped conceal the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 priests and other religious leaders over a period of at least 40 years, according to a grand jury report made public this week.

The 147-page report unveiled by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane outlines how the two bishops filed away allegations from children in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese as part of an effort to avoid public scandal. And worst of all, Kane announced at a press conference, no criminal charges will be filed because some abusers have died, the statute of limitations has expired or victims are too traumatized to testify.

Corey Harris and Gerald Vigna, theology professors at Alvernia University, said the report contains tragic and horrific revelations. But they agreed the discovery of these crimes is not necessarily surprising…