PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com
Stephen Baker was a Franciscan Friar, a follower of the first order that followed Francis of Assisi and his devotion to helping the poor.
He was also a known predator, a monster who molested upwards of hundreds of children. His supervisors knew about the horrific crimes and not only concealed it from police and school administrators, they continued to assign him to posts — including in schools — that would put him in direct contact with children, a grand jury determined.
On Tuesday morning Baker’s supervisors were charged with criminal conspiracy and child endangerment.
In a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the charges against Giles A. Schinelli, 73, Robert J. D’Aversa, 69, and Anthony M. Criscitelli, 61. All are members of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regulars, Province of the Immaculate Conception, which is based in Hollidaysburg, Blair County. …
During the press conference, one lone victims’ advocate stood outside in the rain with his homemade placards. Robert Hoatson, a former priest turned advocate who has worked with some of Baker’s victims, was overjoyed to hear that Kane had brought down criminal charges against the three friars.
“This is a heroic event in the history of clergy sex abuse,” Hoatson said. “We know that officials of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, the Franciscan Friars in Hollidaysburg, and many, many other religious leaders knew about this for many decades.”
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