PENNSYLVANIA
WPXI
[with video]
PITTSBURGH – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is cooperating with a grand jury investigation after receiving a subpoena from the state attorney general‘s office, Bishop David Zubik said Friday.
Below is the full statement that the bishop released Friday night:
“The Diocese of Pittsburgh has received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, requesting cooperation with a grand jury investigation.
“In the ongoing need to protect children from abuse, I welcome the opportunity to work closely with the state attorney general’s office. In his cover letter to me, Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye wrote that ‘our efforts do not have to be adversarial. . . . Our work to protect children and seek the truth should be a joint endeavor.’ I could not agree more. We are absolutely committed to protecting children from abuse.
“The Diocese of Pittsburgh is cooperating fully with the grand jury by turning over records requested of the diocese. It is my hope that this is a first step toward the government working with all institutions to address this serious matter.
“I ask your prayers for all victim-survivors and their families. May God guide everyone in efforts to provide comfort and healing to victim-survivors of abuse. May God enlighten everyone engaged in this legal process.”
Target 11 learned the attorney general’s office issued the subpoena about two weeks ago. The office is asking for files dating back to 1947 for any allegations of child abuse or confirmed child abuse by priests.
Zubik said he believes the request stems from the grand jury report earlier this year that found nearly 50 priests molested hundreds of children over several decades in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
When asked whether he was confident in saying there’s no cover-up, Zubik replied, “I would have to absolutely say that. No cover-up.”
Zubik also denied knowing of any incidents of child sex abuse inside the diocese.
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