Diocese names 71 accused priests

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
While the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has chosen to release the names of 71 men who are accused of sexual abuse, the Greensburg and Pittsburgh Diocesan leadership will not follow suit.
The Dioceses of Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton are part of an investigation into clergy sex abuse and the findings are set to be released as part of a 900-page grand jury report as soon as next week. Erie released its results in April, Harrisburg followed suit Wednesday.
Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and Greensburg Diocese spokesman Jerry Zufelt released statements Wednesday that essentially state their organizations plan to wait for the state Supreme Court to release the report instead of releasing the names on their own.
“We respect the rights of all those involved in the grand jury process and support the Supreme Court’s decision to expediently release the report so the stories and voices of victims can be heard,” Zubik said. “The Supreme Court’s procedure is meant to ensure persons listed in the report are accorded their rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution.”
Zubik said that the release of the report will give the diocese the opportunity to “respond more fully in this matter.”
Zufelt said the Greensburg Diocese stands with churches across the state in “prioritizing the protection of children and responding to the needs of survivors.”

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