On the anniversary of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, Bishop David Zubik released a statement (attached), saying, “This year has been a time of grieving, of repentance for the harm done to people at the hands of priests who were expected to be trusted spiritual leaders. It has also been a time for the heart of the Church to deepen its understanding of what victims/survivors have endured, and to reach out in news ways to help them heal spiritually.”
On August 14, 2018, Bishop Zubik announced steps that the diocese was taking to strengthen its longstanding efforts to prevent child sexual abuse and respond to victims/survivors. Among the first was to engage an expert on the prevention and prosecution of child sexual abuse to thoroughly review diocesan practices and make recommendations for improvement.
That study was completed in May by Shay Bilchik, director of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University, a former prosecutor specializing in cases of child abuse and juvenile delinquency, who later advocated for child victims at the U.S. Department of Justice and served as president and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America. He reviewed 10 years ending in June 2018, but wrote that some key child protection policies and practices began decades ago.
"[T]he Diocese of Pittsburgh has taken early and aggressive steps to protect children in its care. In fact, my overall finding related to their current practices is that the Diocese of Pittsburgh has worked hard in making the diocese an unwelcoming place for child predators," Bilchik wrote.
"It is my conclusion, therefore, that the child protection policies and practices of the Diocese of Pittsburgh are sound and largely implemented with fidelity to the best practice guidance provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops . . . and what are considered best practices more broadly. The evidence to support this conclusion is also demonstrated by the very few incidents of child sexual abuse alleged to have occurred over the past ten years that were associated with diocese-related activities."
A video summary of his report, as well as the executive summary are at: https://www.diopitt.org/church- healing-one-year-later.
In his March 6, 2019 pastoral letter, The Church Healing, Bishop Zubik delineated a five point action plan: (1) Healing and enhanced support for victims/survivors, their families and loved ones; (2) greater financial transparency; (3) increased accountability; (4) ongoing spiritual and human formation for clergy and seminarians; and (5) continued listening to seek truth and reconciliation.
One of many new initiatives under those five points is the Church Healing Commission, a board of Catholic and non-Catholic experts on the prevention, detection and healing of child sexual abuse. Its mandate is to assist Bishop Zubik in fulfilling his promises in The Church Healing.
Its 12 members include wellness educator and former TV news anchor Jennifer Antkowiak, who said in the statement linked here that, “Every day is a chance to start a new chapter. As we continue to support victims/survivors and their families, we need to join in rebuilding our Church. We have an opportunity here in Pittsburgh to come together as the body of Christ, to demonstrate healing love where there is pain and sorrow. Because of what has happened, things will never be the same. We are challenged to change and grow to keep the faith alive.”
Bishop Zubik concluded with hope for the future.
“Pittsburgh is a resilient region, with a unique spirit and sense of community. People draw together to see each other through hard times and come out stronger,” he said. “Today, we look to the Church of the future, the faith community we want today’s children and their children experience. My faith is in God. But I also have faith in the Church of Pittsburgh: faith that our community can move forward in unity and with hope, learning from the past, protecting the weakest among us, holding each other accountable and continuing to fulfill the mission that Jesus gave to us.”