Court: Probe found over 300 ‘predator priests’ in 6 dioceses
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A landmark grand jury report identifies more than 300 “predator priests” in six of Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic dioceses, the state Supreme Court said Friday in ordering the findings released.
The justices said the report on clergy child sexual abuse going back decades and allegations of cover-up efforts will be made public but without the names or “individual specific information” of priests and others who have challenged the findings, at least in the initial version to be released.
The court wants the redaction process to be completed by Aug. 8, when the 900-page report is expected to be made public. If there are disputes about what a court-appointed special master should black out, the report will go out the following week.
The Supreme Court said it will consider the challenges by some priests and others who say their constitutional rights to their reputations and to due process of law are being violated, based on not being able to address the grand jury.
“We believe that the risk that the grand jury’s pronouncements will be seen as carrying the weight of governmental and judicial authority — and as themselves embodying the voice of the community relative to particular findings — is substantial,” Chief Justice Thomas Saylor wrote .
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