Federal prosecutors open probe into child sex abuse by priests in Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA -- Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania, using subpoenas to demand secret files and testimony from high-ranking leaders in what victims' advocates say is the first such probe ever launched by the U.S. Justice Department.

The subpoenas, served last week, follow a scathing state grand jury report over the summer found 301 "predator priests" in Pennsylvania had molested more than 1,000 children over seven decades and church leaders had covered up for the offenders.

The intervention by the federal government opens a new front of legal peril for the Catholic church, given investigations into sexual abuse by clergy members have historically been handled exclusively by state and local authorities.

"It's groundbreaking if we're going to see one of the U.S. attorneys pursuing the Catholic cases," said Marci Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor and chief executive of Child USA, a not-for-profit think tank focused on preventing child abuse. "The federal government has so far been utterly silent on the Catholic cases."

At least seven of the state's eight Roman Catholic dioceses -- Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Erie, Greensburg, Allentown and Harrisburg -- acknowledged receiving subpoenas and said they would cooperate or were working with Justice Department officials.

"This subpoena is no surprise considering the horrific misconduct detailed in the statewide grand jury report," the Greensburg Diocese said in a statement. "Survivors, parishioners and the public want to see proof that every diocese has taken sweeping, decisive and impactful action to make children safer. We see this as another opportunity for the Diocese of Greensburg to be transparent."

There was no indication the Justice Department is planning a nationwide investigation.

U.S. Attorney William McSwain of Philadelphia, who issued the subpoenas, wants to know if priests, bishops, seminarians or others committed any federal crimes.

McSwain, appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, asked for certain church leaders to testify before a federal grand jury in Philadelphia, though it could be months before that happens because of the time it takes to review the requested documents.

McSwain also demanded bishops turn over any evidence anyone in their ranks took children across state lines for illicit purposes; sent sexual images or messages via phone or computer; instructed anyone not to contact police; reassigned suspected predators; or used money or other assets as part of the scandal.

The subpoenas seek documents stored in "Secret Archives," ''Historical Archives" or "Confidential Files," and records related to the dioceses' organizational charts, finances, insurance, clergy assignments and treatment of priests.

"This is the first time I have ever heard of a federal investigation into child sexual abuse in a Catholic diocese or church. This is a monumental moment for clergy sexual victims everywhere," said Mitchell Garabedian, the Boston-based plaintiffs' lawyer who played a major role in uncovering the scandal in the Boston Archdiocese over a decade ago.

Two Eastern Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania -- the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh -- also acknowledged they are under investigation.