Pennsylvania

Judge to Decide What is Released from Sealed Priest Sex Abuse Brief

The Supreme Court is adding another job for the special master it appointed to help black out names and other identifying information from a grand jury report into child sexual abuse in six of Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic dioceses.

The justices said Thursday Judge John Cleland will also determine what material should be redacted from a sealed brief filed by the attorney general's office.

Some of those named in the report argue it's inaccurate and in its current form violates their constitutional rights to reputation and to due process of law.

Others have called for the report to be released, including victims' groups, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro and media organizations, including NBC10 and Telemundo 62.

The high court has directed the roughly 900-page report to be made public, perhaps as early as next week.

An order from the justices issued last week says the report identifies about 300 "predator priests.''

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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