In Pennsylvania, Shadow Of Secrecy Lifting From Decades Of Abuse By Priests
Accused predators have been named. Confidentiality agreements with abuse survivors have been waived. And soon Pennsylvania courts will release a redacted report on more than 300 "predator priests."
For decades, the Catholic Church has grappled with sexual abuse of children by priests — through quiet reassignments and headline-grabbing scandals, internal investigations and public criminal charges, simmering controversies and settlements with survivors.
Now, some parishes in Pennsylvania are reckoning with the problem through an unusual dose of transparency.
In 2016, Pennsylvania's attorney
