ERIE (PA)
Diocese of Erie [Erie PA]
January 18, 2024
[For a PDF of Bishop Perisco’s statement as it appeared on the diocese’s website, click here.]
The announcement of updates to our Public Disclosure List understandably causes considerable dismay. The pain and sorrow of survivors of sexual abuse continues, and Catholics, who may not have even known those under investigation, wonder when this will end. Yet the reality is, past cases continue to affect us today.
Our position remains the same as when we first published the list: The public has a right to know the names of people whom we consider credibly accused of actions that disqualify and prohibit them from working or volunteering with children or youth. In addition, publishing the names of people who are deceased is one way to encourage other victims of that person to come forward.
Making these announcements illustrates that the steps we have taken are working. People know that when they come forward, they will be taken seriously. We have a clear process involving professional, independent investigators who are equipped to determine whether or not allegations have merit. When we first published the list in 2018, we committed ourselves to transparency, a promise that remains in place today.
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