Bishop Lawrence Persico Archives

Canonization sought for disability institute founder

Dec 17, 2019

The bishop of Erie has announced the opening of the canonization process for Gertrude Barber, founder of what is now called the Barber National Institute for adults and children with disabilities.

By Associated Press

Diocese of Erie to launch Survivors’ Reparation Fund in February

Dec 18, 2018

Survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, lay employees or lay volunteers in the Diocese of Erie will be eligible to file financial claims with a new compensation fund.

By Catholic News Service

Bishop backs victim fund over abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania

Aug 31, 2018

Catholic officials in Pennsylvania began lining up quickly and publicly with a key state legislative ally Thursday in backing the creation of a victims’ compensation fund as an alternative to allowing victims in decades-old child sexual abuse cases to sue the Church in court.

By Marc Levy

Pennsylvania prelate says bishops who hid abuse should resign

Aug 18, 2018

Bishop Lawrence T. Persico said the only way to regain the trust of the laity after decades-long claims of sexual abuse by priests and others at six Pennsylvania dioceses is by deeds and one of those deeds may mean getting rid of bishops who hid abusers.

By Rhina Guidos

Deadline looms for release of Catholic Church abuse report

Aug 14, 2018

Time is ticking down to a court-ordered deadline Tuesday afternoon to decide what information to black out in a forthcoming grand jury report investigating child sexual abuse in six of Pennsylvania’s Catholic dioceses.

By Mark Scolforo and Marc Levy

Grand jury report into Pennsylvania dioceses details “unacceptable” behavior, bishop says

Jul 25, 2018

Bishop Lawrence Persico of Erie has warned Catholics that the results of a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation into sexual abuse of minors will make for disturbing reading. The release of the 800-page report has been delayed by order of the state’s supreme court.

By Ed Condon