PENNSYLVANIA
Go Erie
May 17, 2018
The opening of the former Erie Catholic bishop’s second statement regarding a priest facing sexual abuse charges is curiously worded: “The Erie Times-News stated in its May 14, 2018, edition ‘that the Diocese of Erie engaged in a cover-up of David Poulson’s behavior under the administration of Bishop Donald Trautman,’ according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro.”
Let’s remove Trautman’s emphasis on the messenger and go to Shapiro’s own words concerning evidence the bishop never got around to mentioning in either of his statements.
“I would point out that Bishop Trautman was the leader during this time. … And this abuse and cover-up occurred largely during Trautman’s tenure,” Shapiro said at a May 8 news conference.
Shapiro’s characterization is drawn from an investigative grand jury’s presentment in the case charging the Rev. David Poulson, 64, with sexually abusing two boys between 2002 and 2010. The presentment cites a confidential memo dated May 24, 2010, in which Trautman references Poulson.
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