It’s quite audacious for the Pope to criticize the Trump administration on matters of security when there are pressing issues within his own domain. I live and work in Pittsburgh and am involved in religious circles, so I am well aware of the Catholic Church’s history here, particularly in Pittsburgh and Greensburg.

Context on the Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandals in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania:

Investigations and Reports: A 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report exposed widespread child sexual abuse by over 300 priests across six dioceses, including Pittsburgh and Greensburg. This document detailed decades of child molestation and rape, highlighting systemic failures in reporting and managing these abuses, which suggested a cover-up by church officials.

Legal Actions: Although the report did not lead to criminal convictions due to many cases being beyond the statute of limitations, it prompted legal action against some individuals. Two priests from these dioceses were charged, but prosecuting many other historical abuses was not possible.

Civil Suits and Settlements: Numerous civil lawsuits were filed against the dioceses for negligence or conspiracy in covering up the abuse, leading to settlements. These settlements reflect an acknowledgment of responsibility by the dioceses but do not equate to criminal convictions.

Public and Church Response: The dioceses publicly acknowledged the abuses, with actions taken against some priests, including removal from ministry or laicization. Victim compensation programs have been established, indicating some form of institutional accountability, though not in the legal sense of guilt.

Conclusion: While the dioceses were not criminally convicted for the acts of abuse, the grand jury report and responses underscore significant abuses by priests and critique of the church leadership’s handling of these cases. Here, “guilt” applies more directly to individual priests who were charged or convicted, but the broader responsibility and acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the dioceses through civil settlements and public apologies are clear.