PENNSYLVANIA
The Bradford Era
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Era Associate Editor marcie@bradfordera.com
Michael Amy, Salvatore Luzzi, Samuel Slocum, Joseph Jerge, Giles Nealen, WIlliam Presley, Stephen Jeselnick, David Poulson — these natives of, or former leaders of congregations, in the region are members of the list released Friday by the Erie Diocese of priests with “credible accusations” against them of abusive conduct.
Bishop Lawrence Persico released the list of 34 priests — 20 of whom are deceased — and 17 lay men and women, two of whom are deceased.
He expressed his sorrow for and apologies to the victims.
“I have met with victims and listened to the pain they and their loved ones experienced. It is appalling to learn what they went through,” Persico said. “Abuse is traumatic enough — but it’s earth-shattering when it’s perpetrated by someone who is in a position of trust. I have a profound personal respect for survivors of abuse.”
A six-year investigation by the diocese, which ended when the state attorney general’s office subpoenaed records in 2016, found abuse claims dating back to 1944, Persico said.
“I know people stand firmly on both sides of whether or not releasing the names of these individuals is the right decision,” Persico said. “Some will say that it has taken far too long to publish these names. Others think we shouldn’t do it at all. They say we are not showing mercy.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.