Child Abuse In Roman Catholic Church Under Investigation

Pennsylvania: Child abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania is under investigation by the U.S Justice Department. The Justice Department has demanded confidential files and testimony from church leaders by using subpoenas.

Over a period of several decades, 301 “predator priests” in Pennsylvania had molested more than 1,000 children, according to a state grand jury report. The church leaders have been covering up the crime for the offenders.

Child Abuse Inside Roman Catholic Church Under Investigation

The subpoenas were issued by U.S Attorney William McSwain of Philadelphia and he is also trying to investigate if any other federal crimes were committed by the priests, bishops, seminarians or others.

The grand jury subpoenas seek document stored in “Secret Archives, Historical Archives” or “Confidential Files,” and also organizational charts, finances, insurance coverage, clergy assignments, treatment, and other documents

Bishops are demanded to provide and turn over evidence if anyone in their ranks took children across the state line for unlawful purposes, also to provide pieces of evidence if sexual images or messages were transferred through phone or computer. The evidence is also sought for any instructions barring from informing or contacting the police or any asset used as part of the scandal.

A law professor warned it is premature to assume a Justice Department investigation will necessarily reach higher up the church hierarchy than earlier probes or end with more