History of Grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania in Timeline
The Pennsylvania grand jury investigation (2016-2018) examined decades of alleged sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy across six dioceses in Pennsylvania. The investigation revealed a widespread pattern of abuse and cover-up by church officials, who allegedly shielded অভিযুক্ত priests from law enforcement and reassigned them to different parishes. The grand jury report identified over 300 accused priests and more than 1,000 child victims, detailing instances of sexual assault and exploitation. The report sparked public outrage and led to calls for accountability and reform within the Catholic Church. It prompted investigations in other states and renewed scrutiny of the Church's handling of abuse allegations globally.
1947: Building and room names to be removed.
On August 1, 2018, Bishop Ronald Gainer announced that the name of every man who had served as bishop in the Diocese of Harrisburg since 1947 would be removed from any building or room named in their honor.
1963: Presley served in Erie Diocese.
Former Erie priest William Presley served in the Erie Diocese between 1963 and 1986.
1982: Male victim disclosed abuse
A male victim previously disclosed his alleged abuse to the diocese in 1982, 1987 and 2002.
1986: Presley served in Erie Diocese.
Former Erie priest William Presley served in the Erie Diocese between 1963 and 1986.
1986: Presley transferred to Harrisburg
In 1986, Presley was transferred to the Diocese of Harrisburg.
1987: Male victim disclosed abuse
A male victim previously disclosed his alleged abuse to the diocese in 1982, 1987 and 2002.
1987: Murphy and Trautman reassigned Gawronski.
Former Erie Bishop Michael Murphy and Trautman reassigned Gawronski multiple times between 1987 and 2002, despite numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
1987: Keeler notified of accusations
In 1987, former bishop William Keeler was notified of accusations of sexual abuse against priest Arthur Long during his time as Bishop of Harrisburg.
1988: Wuerl began as Bishop of Pittsburgh
Cardinal Donald Wuerl stated that while Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006, he established strong policies that addressed the needs of abuse survivors, removed priests from ministry, and protected the most vulnerable in the community.
1988: Wuerl's time as Bishop of Pittsburgh began
Cardinal Donald Wuerl was Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006.
1989: Wuerl warns Vatican
In 1989, Wuerl wrote to the Vatican to warn them about the problem of abusive priests.
1990: Most Allegations occurred before this year
On August 5, 2018, Bishop Zubik noted that 90 percent of all the allegations in the report related to the diocese of Pittsburgh occurred before 1990.
September 1991: Sweeney's crime happened during this time
During some point between September 1991 and June 1992, John T. Sweeney molested a 4th grade boy.
September 1991: John T. Sweeney committed his crime.
Sometime between September 1991 and June 1992, John T. Sweeney molested a 4th grade boy, for which he pleaded guilty on July 31, 2018.
June 1992: Sweeney's crime happened during this time
During some point between September 1991 and June 1992, John T. Sweeney molested a 4th grade boy.
June 1992: John T. Sweeney committed his crime.
Sometime between September 1991 and June 1992, John T. Sweeney molested a 4th grade boy, for which he pleaded guilty on July 31, 2018.
1992: Tobin became auxiliary bishop
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin had been an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Pittsburgh between 1992 and 1996, and vicar general prior to that time.
1993: Trautman establishes guidelines
Former Erie Bishop Donald Trautman established guidelines in 1993 concerning how to deal with sexual abuse.
1993: Wuerl convinces Vatican court
In 1993, after the Vatican countermanded Wuerl's decision to remove Father Anthony J. Cipolla from ministry, Wuerl flew to Rome and convinced the Vatican court to ban Cipolla from ministry.
1996: Tobin's role as auxiliary bishop ended
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin had been an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Pittsburgh between 1992 and 1996, and vicar general prior to that time.
1998: O'Malley returns to ministry
In 1998, Wuerl allowed Father William O'Malley to return to active ministry despite facing allegations of sexual abuse and admitting to sexual interest in adolescents.
2001: Trautman renews Gawronski's term
In 2001, Erie Bishop Donald Trautman renewed Rev. Chester Gawronski's five-year term as a chaplain for St. Mary's Home in Erie despite Gawronski admitting to fondling at least twelve boys.
2002: Male victim disclosed abuse
A male victim previously disclosed his alleged abuse to the diocese in 1982, 1987 and 2002.
2002: Murphy and Trautman reassigned Gawronski.
Former Erie Bishop Michael Murphy and Trautman reassigned Gawronski multiple times between 1987 and 2002, despite numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
2002: Harrisburg Diocese fault
Since 2002, the Diocese of Harrisburg was faulted for negotiating confidential settlements of sexual abuse cases, some of which included confidentiality provisions.
2003: Allentown Diocese zero-tolerance policy
Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown stated that the diocese has had a zero-tolerance policy against sex abuse since 2003.
2003: Trautman establishes Diocesan Office
In 2003, former Erie Bishop Donald Trautman established the Diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth to protect children from sex abuse.
August 25, 2005: Bartchak sent confidential memo
On August 25, 2005, Bartchak sent a confidential memo to then-Erie Bishop Donald Walter Trautman regarding the likelihood of additional victims of Presley's abuse.
August 29, 2005: Meeting between Bartchak and Trautman
Following a meeting with Trautman on August 29, 2005, Bartchak stated that Bishop Trautman decided not to contact additional witnesses to preclude further scandal, especially given that it was not likely that they would lead to information concerning delicts involving minors under 16 years of age.
2005: Investigation against Presley
In 2005, Mark Bartchak was assigned by the Vatican to investigate claims against former Erie priest William Presley.
2006: Wuerl ended his time as Bishop of Pittsburgh
Cardinal Donald Wuerl stated that while Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006, he established strong policies that addressed the needs of abuse survivors, removed priests from ministry, and protected the most vulnerable in the community.
2006: Wuerl's time as Bishop of Pittsburgh ended
Cardinal Donald Wuerl was Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006.
2008: Abuse since 2008
The grand jury report revealed that of the more than 300 priests identified, only two were involved in abuse since 2008, and both of these had been reported by their dioceses.
September 2016: Attorney General's Office halts list release
In September 2016, the Diocese of Harrisburg intended to release a list of accused priests, but the Attorney General's Office ordered them not to, fearing it would compromise the ongoing investigation.
2016: Grand jury investigation examines dioceses
Beginning in early 2016, a grand jury investigation led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro examined sexual abuse allegations against Catholic clergy in six Pennsylvania dioceses: Allentown, Scranton, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Erie.
2016: Grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse begins
In 2016, a grand jury investigation began into Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, focusing on the history of clerical sexual abuse across six Pennsylvania dioceses.
2016: Prior report inspires new investigation
In 2016, a similar grand jury report detailing sex abuse in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese, another Archdiocese of Philadelphia suffragan diocese, inspired the investigation into the six Pennsylvania dioceses.
2017: Dioceses attempt to shut down investigation
In 2017, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Diocese of Harrisburg and the Diocese of Greensburg attempted to shut down the grand jury investigation.
April 2018: Diocese of Erie publishes list of accused
In April 2018, the Diocese of Erie published a list of 34 priests and 17 laypeople who had been "credibly accused" of sexually abusing children.
July 27, 2018: Release of Redacted Grand Jury Report Ordered
On July 27, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the release of a redacted copy of the grand jury report to the public, naming over 300 accused "predator priests."
July 31, 2018: John T. Sweeney pleads guilty
On July 31, 2018, John T. Sweeney of Greensburg pleaded guilty to molesting a 4th grade boy between September 1991 and June 1992.
August 1, 2018: Diocese of Harrisburg releases names of accused clergy
On August 1, 2018, the Diocese of Harrisburg released the names of 71 clergy members accused of sexually abusing children, including priests, deacons, and seminarians, as well as clergy from other dioceses or religious orders who had served in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
August 5, 2018: Diocese of Pittsburgh to cooperate with Supreme Court
On August 5, 2018, Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik sent letters confirming the Diocese of Pittsburgh would cooperate with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order and release the list of clergy accused of sex abuse.
August 6, 2018: Diocese of Scranton to release list of accused
On August 6, 2018, the Diocese of Scranton released a statement that Bishop Joseph Bambera would cooperate with the investigation and publish the list of "credibly accused clergy" when the grand jury report was published.
August 9, 2018: Greensburg Diocese issues apology
On August 9, 2018, Greensburg Bishop Edward Malesic issued an apology on behalf of the diocese, acknowledged there were numerous reports of sex abuse of children between the 1950s and 1980s, and announced that the Diocese would release the names of the accused clergy when the grand jury report is published.
August 14, 2018: Grand jury report published
On August 14, 2018, the grand jury report was published, revealing that 301 priests were accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children in the six dioceses and were routinely shuffled from parish to parish to avoid scrutiny.
August 2018: Grand jury report released
In August 2018, the grand jury's report on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church was released, marking the broadest examination by a government agency in the United States on the topic.
August 16, 2018: Bishops Promise New Reporting Channels
On August 16, 2018, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, promised the creation of "new and confidential channels for reporting complaints against bishops" and more effective complaint resolution.
August 18, 2018: Wuerl will not attend World Meeting of Families
On August 18, 2018, it was announced that Wuerl would not attend the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, where he had been scheduled to give a keynote address.
August 31, 2018: Bishop Forbids Predecessor from Representing Diocese
On August 31, 2018, Bishop Joseph Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton forbade his predecessor, Bishop James Timlin, from publicly representing the diocese due to Timlin's failure to protect children from abusers.
October 12, 2018: Wuerl Resigns as Archbishop of Washington
Wuerl resigned as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., on October 12, 2018, and had requested to do so in September.
October 2018: Poulson pleads guilty
In October 2018, David Lee Poulson of Erie pleaded guilty to two counts related to sexual abuse.
December 2018: Sweeney sentenced to prison
In December 2018, John T. Sweeney was given an 11 1/2 month to 5-year prison sentence for molesting a 4th grade boy at some point between September 1991 and June 1992 and immediately began serving it.
2018: Grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse ends
In 2018, the grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania concluded after investigating the history of clerical sexual abuse across six Pennsylvania dioceses.
January 2019: Poulson begins jail sentence
In January 2019, David Lee Poulson began serving a 2 1/2 to 14-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to two counts related to sexual abuse in October 2018.
March 5, 2019: Pope Francis orders defrocking of Poulson
On March 5, 2019, Pope Francis issued an order defrocking David Lee Poulson.
March 15, 2019: Defrocking of Poulson announced
On March 15, 2019, Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico announced that Pope Francis had issued an order on March 5, 2019 defrocking David Lee Poulson.
November 26, 2019: Legislative recommendations signed into law
On November 26, 2019, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the grand jury report's legislative recommendations into law.
February 19, 2020: Diocese of Harrisburg Files for Bankruptcy
On February 19, 2020, the Diocese of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy due to sex abuse lawsuits, becoming the first diocese in Pennsylvania to do so. The Diocese cited financial struggles, with assets between $1-10 million and liabilities of $50 million.
April 15, 2020: Lawsuit Filed Against Diocese of Pittsburgh for Shielding Priests
On April 15, 2020, a man filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Pittsburgh for allegedly shielding priests who sexually abused him as a boy.
April 16, 2020: Shapiro Reveals Court Decisions on Sex Abuse
On April 16, 2020, Attorney General Shapiro revealed that recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions prevent institutions, including the Catholic Church, from blocking authorities from notifying communities about the presence of convicted violent sex offenders and allows sexual predators to seek mental hospital treatment.
May 20, 2020: Lawsuit Filed Against Diocese of Allentown
On May 20, 2020, Timothy Paul McGettigan filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Allentown, alleging sexual abuse in the 1970s by two priests, Rev. Joseph Grembocki and Rev. David A. Soderlund, as well as other unidentified priests.
June 22, 2020: Greensburg Bishop Named in Sex Abuse Lawsuit
On June 22, 2020, Greensburg Bishop Edward Malesic and the Diocese of Greensburg were named as defendants in a new sex abuse lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges a cover-up of abuse by former priest Rev. Joseph L. Sredzinski starting in 1991.
July 18, 2020: Potential Lawsuit Against Diocese of Erie
On July 18, 2020, it was revealed that the Diocese of Erie was facing a potential new sex abuse lawsuit alleging the compensation fund had not paid victims of abuse allegedly committed at St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its school.
July 24, 2020: Woman Sues Diocese of Erie
On July 24, 2020, a woman sued the Diocese of Erie, alleging that Rev. Michael G. Barletta, named in the grand jury report, molested her as a child in the 1970s and the Diocese shielded him from prosecution.
August 7, 2020: New Lawsuit Filed Against Diocese of Pittsburgh
On August 7, 2020, a new lawsuit was filed against the Diocese of Pittsburgh by a man alleging that Father Leo Burchianti attacked and raped him twice when he was an altar boy. Burchianti is accused of abusing at least eight boys and was named in the state grand jury report.
August 13, 2020: New Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed Against the Diocese of Pittsburgh
On August 13, 2020, 25 new sex abuse lawsuits were filed against the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
August 14, 2020: New Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed Against Diocese of Allentown
On August 14, 2020, it was announced that 20 new sex abuse lawsuits were filed against the Diocese of Allentown.
August 16, 2020: Lawsuits Filed Against Diocese of Erie
On August 16, 2020, it was revealed that a total of 21 lawsuits had been filed against the Diocese of Erie since the release of the 2018 grand jury report.
August 26, 2020: Diocese of Greensburg Finds Abuse Allegations Credible
On August 26, 2020, Bishop Malesic, departing from the Diocese of Greensburg to become Bishop of Cleveland, announced that the Diocese of Greensburg deemed sex abuse allegations against Rev. Emil Payer, previously convicted of theft, as "credible."
November 5, 2020: Former Priest Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanors
On November 5, 2020, John G. Allen, a former York County Catholic priest defrocked in 2019, pled guilty to six misdemeanors, including indecent assault and corruption of minors, for actions between 1997 and 2002.
November 20, 2020: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Denies Diocese Petitions
On November 20, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied petitions filed by the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg for stays delaying ongoing lawsuits against them.
Mentioned in this timeline
Pope Francis served as the head of the Catholic Church...
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