Last week the Post-Gazette reported on a statewide grand jury investigation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown (“Grand Jury: Altoona Diocese Concealed Sex Abuse of Hundreds of Children by Priests,” March 1). Mentioned in the article is the notion that former Bishop James Hogan felt no legal obligation to report allegations of abuse to civil authorities. 

By itself, this is distressing. Yet it becomes frightening to think about when coupled with various media reports from the past month that in a Vatican training course, newly appointed bishops were still being advised that they do not have to report accusations of sexual abuse by clergy to legal authorities. 

It appears that despite the seemingly countless instances of abuse, untold numbers of victims and much-needed attention given to these crimes during the past decade, some in positions of power may continue to willfully disregard the safety of children and the needs of victim-survivors. 

I applaud the 37th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, Pennsylvania’s attorney general and all who are working to ensure that meaningful change continues within the church in regard to sexual abuse. 

Parishioners, the public and the press must continue their diligence in exposing these allegations and holding past and present offenders accountable.

JASON D. SPRAITZ
Co-Founder, Clergy Abuse Research Consortium
University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire 
Eau Claire, Wis.
The writer is assistant professor of criminal justice at the university.

First Published: March 6, 2016, 5:00 a.m.