Diocese to hold prayer services for sex abuse victims
HOLLIDAYSBURG (AP) – A Roman Catholic diocese is planning to hold several prayer services for sexual abuse victims more than two months after a Pennsylvania grand jury found two former bishops helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by dozens of clergy over four decades.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is planning to hold a service Monday evening at St. Andrew Parish in Johnstown, followed by another Tuesday evening at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona.
A third is planned Thursday evening at Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College.
The Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison after being convicted last year of molesting two street children during missionary trips to Honduras.