Child Abuse Protest

By Kevin Flanigan
We Are Central PA
October 8, 2012

http://wearecentralpa.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=404112


ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP, BLAIR COUNTY - A demonstration to draw attention to child sexual abuse was set up outside the Altoona -Johnstown Catholic Diocese office near Hollidaysburg by a national group on Monday morning.

The national director of "Survivors network of those Abused by Priests" organized the event. David Clohessy says he was the victim of abuse at the hands of a Priest when he was a child. He stood outside the Church Offices holding a sign with photos of children he said were a few of the victims of child sexual abuse at the hands of priests.

Clohessy, as representative of "SNAP" is calling on Bishop Mark Bartchak to seek out victims of abuse and publicize the names of other priests suspected of abuse. The demand comes after an investigation into allegations that another local priest, Father George Koharchik, is responsible for molesting a number of young victims. That case is now in the hands of the Cambria County District Attorney. No criminal charges have been filed.

While the Church Offices were closed for Columbus Day, the Secretary for Communications for the Diocese responded to the protest noting that Bishop Bartchak is willing to reach out to anyone who may have been a victim of child abuse and the Church has in place a Victim Advocate to handle any allegations of child sexual abuse at the hands of Clergy.