The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that the names of 11 Roman Catholic clergy cited in a grand jury report on sex abuse of children should not be made public.
The grand jury report singled out more than 300 priests statewide when it was released over the summer, including some priests from Butler County. But, eleven names were redacted.
The state high court said Monday that releasing the information would have violated the clergymen’s state constitutional right to have their reputation protected.
The clergy argued they hadn’t been provided adequate opportunity to respond to the grand jury about allegations. They also said the report stigmatized people who hadn’t been convicted of crimes, and also contained inaccuracies.
Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik is holding several “listening sessions” to hear from victims of abuse. One will be held in Butler County tomorrow evening.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro released this statement in response to the court’s ruling:
“I have consistently fought for the release of the entire, unredacted Grand Jury report into widespread sexual abuse and cover up within the Pennsylvania Catholic Church,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Today’s Order allows predator priests to remain in the shadows and permits the Church to continue concealing their identities.”
“I will continue to stand with all survivors, fighting to ensure every victim gets their day in court and that every predator priest and every bishop and church official who enabled child abuse is held accountable for their abhorrent conduct. The public will not relent in its demand that anyone involved in this widespread abuse and cover up be named. No one victim’s truth is any less important than another and no one’s criminal conduct any less loathsome.”
“While this Order bars me from releasing the names of these 11 petitioners, nothing in this Order prevents the Dioceses from sharing the shielded names with their parishioners and the public. I call on the Bishops to do so immediately, consistent with their recent calls for transparency.”
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