Top court outlines steps toward release of grand jury report on child sex abuse

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of a redacted version of a grand jury report on child sexual abuse in six Catholic dioceses.

The release of the controversial report has been delayed by the complaints of clergy members who may be implicated.

Sources told 11 Investigates that individual priests identified in the grand jury report have challenged the public release, not the  dioceses themselves.

"Today is a victory for the survivors but our work is not yet done," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. Shapiro has been arguing for the release of the report for weeks.

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The court wants the redaction process to be completed by Aug. 8, when the 900-page report is expected to be made public. If there are disputes about what a court-appointed special master should black out, the report will go out the following week.

The Supreme Court said it will consider the challenges by some priests and others who say their constitutional rights to their reputations and to due process of law are being violated, based on not being able to address the grand jury.

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The grand jury looked into sex abuse cases in six dioceses across Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh and Greensburg.

Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh released a statement:

"Today's Supreme Court Opinion supports the many parties in this process. The expedient release of the report allows the voices of victims to be heard. The difficult work of the Grand Jury will promote a public dialogue from which the Diocese of Pittsburgh can continue to improve its protection of children.  The rights of individuals will be respected as they are afforded due process of law."

The report is the result of a two-year investigation, described by the judge who supervised the grand jury as addressing allegations of child sexual abuse, failure to report it, endangering the welfare of children and obstruction of justice by people "associated with the Roman Catholic Church, local public officials and community leaders."

Pittsburgh resident Jim Van Sickle, who says he was abused by a priest in the Erie diocese when he was in high school, has been waiting for the report to be released.

"I have been in high anxiety mode and stress mode," he told Channel 11.

"We are investigating a powerful entity, an institution, and they put a lot of money into whatever it would take to keep this report from coming out, so it’s a victory to have it come out."

Van Sickle said he and other abuse survivors recently met with Shapiro.

"They were going to stand behind us and fight this with every possible tool in their shed," he said.

Van Sickle said any other victims of clergy abuse can contact him via email at vansicklej1515@comcast.net.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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