Diocese to hold prayer service in Benscreek for sex abuse victims

By Todd Berkey
Tribune-Democrat
May 16, 2016

http://www.tribdem.com/news/diocese-to-hold-prayer-service-in-johnstown-for-sex-abuse/article_506442ed-a551-5ae4-80c6-7db086b74548.html

The Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, Bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown speaks about an attorney general's report of widespread child sexual abuse by priests across the diocese, during a news conference at Diocesan Administration Center, Hollidaysburg, Thursday, March 3, 2016.

Monday marks the first of three prayer services that Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown leaders hope will provide some healing to victims of child sexual abuse.

Bishop Mark Bartchak plans to preside over the gatherings at St. Andrew in Benscreek on Monday, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Tuesday and Our Lady of Victory in State College on Thursday. 

All of the meetings, which are to begin at 7 p.m., will include exposition of the blessed sacrament, evening prayer, a homily and the sacrament of reconciliation.

The services, which were first announced in April, come 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 Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr., a former Central City priest, was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison after being convicted last year of molesting two street children during missionary trips to Honduras.