Justice Department Opens Probe Into Child Sex Abuse By Pennsylvania Priests

Chapel of catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and Paul, Philadelphia

The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into sexual abuse that occurred at Roman Catholic churches across Pennsylvania. The probe comes months after a scathing grand jury report said that over 1,000 children had been sexually abused by hundreds of priests over the last 70 years. The report found that not only was the abuse occurring, but top officials in the church knew about it and actively tried to cover up the allegations. 

“Priests were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all. For decades,” the grand jury wrote in its report.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Philadelphia has been serving subpoenas to churches across the state. The Diocese of Allentown confirmed to the Lehigh Valley Express-Times that they received a subpoena and are fully cooperating with investigators. 

"The Diocese will cooperate fully with the request, just as it cooperated fully with the information requests related to the statewide grand jury," the diocese said in a prepared statement. "The Diocese sees itself as a partner with law enforcement in its goal to eliminate the abuse of minors wherever it may occur in society."

Only two priests were charged following the grand jury report because most of the offenses happened many years ago and were past the statute of limitations.

Photo: Getty Images


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