© Ahmad Masood / Reuters
, a new state grand jury report said, adding that
the behavior was also covered up by bishops.
"The heinous crimes these children endured are absolutely unconscionable," said state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, according to
Reuters.
"These predators desecrated a sacred trust and preyed upon their victims in the very places where they should have felt most safe."The grand jury report
highlighted abuse by some 50 priests, describing victims that were incredibly traumatized and at least one that took their own life as a result. It also names former Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Bishop James Hogan, who died in 2005, and his immediate successor Joseph Adamec, who retired in 2011, saying they "failed to protect children" due to "the desire to avoid public scandal."
Additionally, the report said that the
leaders allowed accused priests to return to ministry "with full knowledge they were child predators.""As wolves disguised as the shepherds themselves - these men stole the innocence of children by sexually preying upon the most innocent and vulnerable members of society and of the Catholic faith," the report states.
Comment: Further reading: US-Russia ceasefire could split Syrian rebels & weaken terrorist groups