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Diocese of Greensburg to hold sessions on state's clergy sex abuse report

GREENSBURG, Pa. — In the wake of the state's clergy sex abuse report, the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg wants to hear directly from each and every parishioner.

The diocese held the first of seven listening sessions Monday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish in Greensburg from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"The victims were very much harmed. I feel that. I know that. Everyone in this church tonight knows that and feels that too," said Bishop Edward Malesic of the Greensburg Diocese.

In front of a packed house,Malesic called the Pennsylvania grand jury report disgusting.

He said he is seeking input from parishioners to find a pathway to reform.

"I am committed to ensuring that our church is a very safe place and a church that moves forward to the point where we can do what a church is supposed to do which is proclaim the Gospel," Malesic said.

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Malesic said the culture of the church needs to change. He said most of the allegations stemmed from decades ago when people feared priests.

He said putting the fear of scandal ahead of protecting young people has to stop now and the church must say something if they see it.

"I too was one of those people who said he was a priest and the doubt never entered my mind that how would do anything except what was right," Malesic said.

Former and current parishioners of Father Joseph Bonafed came to his defense tonight. In August, he was accused of sexual abuse from 28 years ago.

They voiced their faith in him and their disgust with the public after they say people rushed to judge Bonafed.

"To put a priest's name, identity and location all over the headline when they haven't been charged or convicted of anything is really hurtful cause how do you ever recover from that," said Chris Parrendo of Export.

The advisory council is tasked with making recommendations following the listening sessions, creating and implementing an action plan, and reviewing child and vulnerable adult protection plans.

The diocese has already been taking action when claims of sexual abuse have surfaced.  Over the weekend, The Diocese of Greensburg announced that one of its priests will not be returning to active ministry. It says the allegation against Father James W. Clark was found to be both credible and substantiated.

The diocese says since Bishop Malesic took over three years ago, protecting kids has been a top priority.

In fact, the diocese welcomes the federal investigation that came out at the end of last week. It has been subpoenaed and says it’s no surprise the U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation. The Greensburg Diocese says it’s another opportunity for it to be transparent.

Listening session dates / locations:

  • Oct. 22 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg
  • Oct. 24 at St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown
  • Oct. 29 at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell
  • Oct. 31 at Holy Family Parish, West Newton
  • Nov. 5 at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning
  • Nov. 8 at Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville
  • Nov. 29 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Indiana.

The Oct. 31 session will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The others will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.