Pa. AG sends letter to pope asking for help releasing child abuse report

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s attorney general is appealing to a higher power when it comes to an investigation into child sex abuse.

Josh Shapiro sent a letter to Pope Francis this week asking the Holy Father to encourage church leaders to release a grand jury investigation on child sex abuse in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh.

The state supreme court has been holding up the report for a month now.

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Excerpts from Shapiro's letter:

"You pledge to follow the truth wherever it may lead."

"Sadly some of the clergy leading the church in Pennsylvania have failed to heed your words. A comprehensive investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found widespread sexual abuse of children and a systemic coverup by leaders of the Catholic Church.

"Your Holiness I respectfully request that you direct church leaders to follow the path you chartered and abandon their destructive efforts to silence the survivors."

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear legal challenges by attorneys representing an unnamed group of former and current clergy members.

After the court's ruling, the Pittsburgh Diocese issued a statement, saying in part it has cooperated with the grand jury process and does not have any legal motions pending to prevent the release of the report.

Channel 11 contacted Bishop David Zubik for a comment about the letter and has not heard back.

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Cox Media Group