PENNSYLVANIA
York Daily Record
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg released the following statement Tuesday after the release of a grand jury report that alleged two former Catholic bishops in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese covered up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children.
The grand jury’s report lists parishes in which the accused priests served. No York County parishes are listed.
The diocese’s statement:
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by what the Attorney General has released today. We ask for prayers for all of the victims.
The sexual abuse of minors is an appalling sin and a crime. That is why the Diocese of Harrisburg has made strong and aggressive steps to combat it.
The Diocese of Harrisburg maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse. Any priest or deacon, employee or volunteer, who has committed even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor, whenever it occurred, is permanently removed from ministry.
The Diocese of Harrisburg is ever vigilant to make sure that children are protected. That is why when a report of possible abuse surfaces in the Diocese of Harrisburg we promptly relay it to public authorities fully and transparently.
Our efforts to protect youth go beyond what is required by the State of Pennsylvania. Additionally we have passed yearly audits by an independent firm to be sure that we are complying with standards set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Since 2004 over 31,000 employees and volunteers in the Diocese of Harrisburg have taken and passed an online course that instructs them in how to recognize child abuse and how to report it to the proper public authorities. Each of those individuals has also been screened with multiple background checks.
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