A statewide Grand Jury has been investigating clergy sexual abuse in six dioceses in Pennsylvania, including the Diocese of Allentown.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has said the Report will be released to the public by the end of June.
On June 5, 2018, the judge presiding over the statewide Grand Jury rejected an attempt by unnamed individuals to postpone the grand jury’s report. The Diocese of Allentown issued the following statement on the judge’s ruling:
“The Diocese of Allentown has cooperated with the Grand Jury and has not attempted to block or delay release of the Report, nor has any Diocesan official made such an attempt. Bishop Alfred Schlert, who became Bishop after the Grand Jury process started, has always been open to any request from the Attorney General's office or the Grand Jury. We welcome the release of the Report. This story needs to be told, so that we can learn from the Report and continue to improve protections for children.”
Since 2002, the Diocese has taken strong and decisive action to address the issue of abuse. It has a policy of zero tolerance. It reports cases of abuse of minors to the authorities, and perpetrators are no longer in active ministry.
The Diocese plans to use the Report of the Grand Jury to further strengthen its comprehensive protections for children and young people.
