Parishioners react to church sex abuse investigation

PITTSBURGH — A church sex abuse grand jury report released Tuesday includes the names of nearly 300 alleged predator priests, and that has garnered strong reaction from church-goers and other lay people around the state.

“I associate God with good, so I believe you have to believe in something even though there are people that represent that religion that are doing terrible things," T.R. Murphy said.

While the reactions range from fire and brimstone to offering forgiveness, everyone who spoke to Channel 11 made it clear they are praying for the victims.

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“Unfortunately, it's a sad day for everybody but we just have to come together, and that's what we've been doing, I think, for the past three or four years. I think that we've been trying to regroup, maybe preparing for this day, but we do have faith in God and that's what's going to bring everybody through,” Janet Rebhun said.

Mark Bibro told WPXI he believes it’s already time to move on.

"I think at some point it has to be made clear it can't be covered up anymore and we've gotta move on, get it behind us, forgive the sinner and get it behind us and move on,” he said.

For Joe Sukitsch, his faith was not shaken as he attended Mass Wednesday.

“We're all flawed. That's why I come here. I'm a flawed human being myself. It doesn't change my opinion any,” he said.

Sofia Dayan has hope for the future.

“It's a shame it happened. I hope it won't happen in the future,” she said. “I think Pope Francis is trying to make changes in the church, so hopefully he will work on that.”

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