PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat

Monday marks the first of three prayer services that Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown leaders hope will provide some healing to victims of child sexual abuse.

Bishop Mark Bartchak plans to preside over the gatherings at St. Andrew in Benscreek on Monday, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Tuesday and Our Lady of Victory in State College on Thursday.

All of the meetings, which are to begin at 7 p.m., will include exposition of the blessed sacrament, evening prayer, a homily and the sacrament of reconciliation.

The services, which were first announced in April, come more than two months after a Pennsylvania grand jury found two former bishops helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by dozens of clergy over four decades.