AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

Diocese will learn from the Grand Jury Report

The Grand Jury Report on clergy sexual abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses includes information on incidents of past abuse in the Diocese of Allentown.

Abuse is abhorrent and has no place in the Church, or anywhere in society.

Much has changed in the past 15 years, as the Grand Jury acknowledged in its Report. Most of the incidents date back decades. The offending priests are either no longer in active ministry or are deceased.

In the event of an allegation of abuse, we immediately remove the priest from ministry, immediately notify law enforcement, and address the issue in a transparent manner.

Since 2002, our Diocese has taken strong and decisive actions to prevent abuse and to provide support for victims and survivors.

But that does not change the fact that the abuse of children is terrible and sinful. The abuse was devastating and tragic for the victims and survivors, and continues to cause pain and anger to this very day.

As a Church, we will learn from the Report of the Grand Jury and use it to further improve our protections for children and young people.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE

Wendy Krisak coordinates the counseling, spiritual guidance and other care victims and survivors need on their road to healing.

She can be reached at 1-800-791-9209 or victimsassistance@allentowndiocese.org.

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