Bishop Mccort Parents and Alumni React to A.g. Investigation

By Jillian Hartmann
WJAC
March 16, 2016

http://wjactv.com/news/local/bishop-mccort-parents-and-alumni-react-to-ag-investigation

Parents and alumni from Bishop McCort speak out after Pennsylvania Attorney General, Kathleen Kane announced the filing of criminal charges against three Franciscan friars for their role in the Brother Stephen Baker case.

Kane made the announcement Tuesday morning saying Father Giles Schinelli, Father Robert D'Aversa and Father Anthony Criscitelli made it possible for Baker to sexually abuse hundreds of children.

Parents and alumni from Bishop McCort Catholic High School told 6 News justice needs to be reserved.

"They should be in jail, all of them should be in jail," said Bishop McCort alumni, Patty Kimball. "They did a very great injustice to those young victims, it's horrible."

Baker served as a teacher and athletic trainer at Bishop McCort in the 90s. Kane said each of the three men had a hand in Baker's placement at McCort.

"I was happy the Attorney General's office actually followed through and they are taking action," said Bishop McCort parent, Kim Nagy.

The three men were Franciscan friars alongside Baker. Kane said they knew about the abuse but did nothing. She said they covered it up to protect their own image.

"The friars did not let the school know that there were issues so as far as I'm concerned, the administration was in the right," said Nagy. "They didn't know anything about it."

Allegations of sexual abuse at the Johnstown school were public in 2013. More than a hundred alleged victims came forward three years later.

It was the investigation of Baker's actions at Bishop McCort that led to the grand jury report detailing decades of abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

"Damaging so many young lives," said Kimball. "This is something that should have never happened, ever."

After the allegations, Baker took his life. Now that criminal charges are being filed, a few Bishop McCort parents and alumni said they want justice.

"It's so wrong, it's wrong in every way," said Kimball. "Priests, policeman, nurses, doctors, they are held at a higher standard."

"I am looking for justice for the school to get their good name back," said Nagy. "It is a wonderful institution."