Pennsylvania Supreme Court blocks release of Catholic Church child abuse report News
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court blocks release of Catholic Church child abuse report

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a stay [order, PDF] of proceedings Wednesday, suspending the release of a grand jury investigation regarding sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests.

The report was expected to run hundreds of pages long, including interviews with victims, covering six dioceses [AP report]. There is no information as to who filed the appeal for the stay.

In a brief statement [press release], Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who spearheaded the investigation, said, “[m]y legal team and I will continue fighting tirelessly to make sure the victims of this abuse are able to tell their stories and the findings of this investigation are made public to the people of Pennsylvania.”

In May, Shapiro said [press release] that all dioceses supported the release of the investigation’s findings and results. The stay blocks Shapiro from releasing the report.

“Victims of this sexual abuse deserve the right to tell their stories to the people of Pennsylvania. That is why my legal team and I have worked tirelessly to have each diocese agree to give victims the opportunity to be heard,” said Shapiro.

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