Prosecutors launch statewide priest probe

ALBANY (NY)
Press-Republican

August 25, 2018

By Joe Mahoney

LAW: Action follows revelation of reports of alleged sexual abuse in Pennsylvania

The group representing county prosecutors across New York says it will assist in a statewide investigation into alleged sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic priests.

The move comes after a similar review in Pennsylvania identified more than 1,000 such reports dating back 60 years.

District attorneys in all 62 counties are poised to assist in the probe launched by state Attorney General Barbara Underwood and will convene grand juries to delve into allegations “when necessary,” said David Soares, president of the District Attorneys Association of New York and the top prosecutor for Albany County.

But the organization representing Catholic bishops in New York said the focus of the probe is “insufficient,” contending it should also examine allegations arising from spheres unrelated to the clergy.

“While the Catholic Church has made major changes in its handling of abuse, we continue to see modern-day stories of abuse and cover-ups in education, the state foster care system, public university athletic programs and elsewhere,” said Dennis Poust, spokesman for the New York State Catholic Conference.

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