WNEM TV5 news
Aug. 30, 2012
SAGINAW, MI (WNEM) -
A group of concerned citizens is pressing Saginaw Bishop Joseph Cistone about his role in covering up a case of sex abuse in Philadelphia.
A Philadelphia attorney representing an altar boy who claims he was molested in 1992, plans to name Cistone in a civil lawsuit. It's alleged Cistone witnessed the destruction of documents naming priests suspected of child abuse, and then lied about it to a grand jury.
Monsignor William Lynn, who was convicted in June of child endangerment in this same case, had reported to Cistone in church hierarchy, and claims Cistone witnessed the shredding of documents that described the alleged abuse.
Today representatives from two children's advocate groups presented a letter to the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. The letter requests full transparency from Cistone on his role in the cover up, and they are asking if funds from the diocese are being used for the bishop's legal defense.
The Saginaw Catholic Diocese declined an interview, but did express their concern for all abuse victims, and promised that the bishop would receive the letter.
Former Allentown, PA Bishop Edward Cullen is also expected to be named in this case. It has been reported he was present when the list of known pedophiles was destroyed at the order of Cardinal Bevilacqua.
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