Bishop Statement

ABC 23
March 23, 2013

http://www.abc23.com/News/NewsDetails.asp?NewsID=10830


Tomorrow's Mass at St. Patrick Parish in Newry will be lead by a fill in Priest.  That's because the current Pastor Anthony Little has been placed on leave following an allegation of sexual abuse.  According to the Johnstown-Altoona Diocese.  A person has come forward claiming Little abused that person in the.  The Diocese says Little has no contact with children.  Blair County DA has also been notified. At every church in the Diocese tomorrow a letter from Bishop Mark Bartchak will be read aloud.  IT reads in part: These accusations are very painful.  I pledge to continue taking whatever action necessary to protect all of God's precious children in our church.  This of course, not the only scandal surrounding the Diocese.  Brother Stephen Baker has been accused of sexually abusing dozens of former students at Bishop McCort High School in the 1990's.  Alleged victims continue to step forward, including the first woman this week.  The Diocese has been named in lawsuits filed by those alleged victims.  Brother Baker killed himself in a Blair County Monestary in January.