It says the real number of victims may be very much higher because records have been lost and some of those abused may be afraid to come forward.<\/p>\n
The report claims more than 300 clergy were involved in the abuse, but only two have been charged, including one who has pleaded guilty.<\/p>\n
In most cases the statute of limitations has expired, meaning charges cannot be brought. Some of the alleged abusers have since died, retired or have been dismissed from the priesthood.<\/p>\n
The assaults are said to have ranged from groping to rape, with most, but not all of the victims, boys.<\/p>\n
In one case a boy was made to pose naked as if being crucified and then was photographed by a group of priests who produced and shared child pornography on church grounds.<\/p>\n
“We are sick over all the crimes that will go unpunished and uncompensated,” the grand jury said.<\/p>\n
At a news conference Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said church officials often dismissed or ignored allegations of abuse.<\/p>\n
He said: “Church officials routinely and purposefully described the abuse as horseplay and wrestling and inappropriate conduct. It was none of those things. It was child sexual abuse, including rape.”<\/p>\n
He went on: “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.”<\/p>\n
The grand jury report accused Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who leads the Washington archdiocese, of helping to protect abusive priests when he was Pittsburgh’s bishop between 1988 and 2006.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Wuerl has rejected the allegations insisting he had tried to stop the abuse.<\/p>\n
“While I understand this report may be critical of some of my actions, I believe the report confirms that I acted with diligence, with concern for the victims and to prevent future acts of abuse,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“I sincerely hope that a just assessment of my actions, past and present, and my continuing commitment to the protection of children will dispel any notions otherwise made by this report.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Source\u00a0news.sky.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"