Clergy Abuse

A Pennsylvania prosecutor is investigating a misconduct allegation against Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The allegation is being investigated by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office and Pennsylvania ChildLine.

The attorneys general for both states have launched active investigations into abuse allegations. Last month, a grand jury report from Pennsylvania detailed abuse by more than 300 Catholic priests.

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - Victims of sexual abuse by clergy and those with information about such cases are being encouraged to contact a hotline or file an online complaint form. Those options were announced Thursday by the New York State Attorney General, who has also reportedly issued subpoenas to every diocese within the state, including the Diocese of Buffalo, seeking more information on abuse.

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - Bishop Richard Malone and the Diocese of Buffalo are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed Thursday morning. The plaintiff is a sexual abuse survivor who alleges the bishop and diocese pose a "public nuisance" by continuing to withhold information on dozens of past child sexual abuse claims.

KEYSTONE CROSSROADS -- Following the grand jury report on the alleged widespread clergy abuse in Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic Church, state lawmakers are pushing for reforms. State Representative Scott Conklin, D-Centre, introduced two new bills on Monday, which would demand greater accountability from religious organizations.

STATE IMPACT PENNSYLVANIA -- Following a blistering grand jury report alleging widespread child sexual abuse at the hands of Roman Catholic priests in six of Pennsylvania's eight dioceses, some Catholics across the state have been wrestling with their faith and future in the church.

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - In light of recent news involving alleged sexual abuse and how Catholic Church leaders have managed it over many years, calls are being renewed to pass the Child Victims Act in New York State.

Three local elected officials - as well as a local Catholic deacon - called Friday for the resignation of Bishop Richard Malone, in response to how the Diocese of Buffalo has handled sex abuse claims.

Professor Adam Pratt says removing the names following Pennsylvania's report on clergy sex abuse is "part of a healing process ... that we need to do as a community."

KEYSTONE CROSSROADS - Lehigh County prosecutors have charged a Catholic priest from the Allentown Diocese with assaulting and sending explicit Snapchat messages to a 17-year-old girl at Central Catholic High School.