The Vatican Knew About Priest Child Abuse In PA: Attorney General

The Vatican knew about the cover-up of hundreds of priests allegedly molesting a thousand children, according to the latest information from authorities. And not only did they know, but they kept track of it all in place which they termed the "Secret Archive," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said.

Shapiro added in an interview with "The Today Show" on Tuesday that he did not know if that knowledge went all the way up to Pope Francis himself, or if it was contained to lower leadership levels in Rome.

The allegations of "secret archives" only worsen the charges laid out in the original 900-page grand jury report. If true, it would mean that it was not only Pennsylvania church leaders who were involved in the cover-up, but international Catholic leadership, as well.

According to the findings, almost every instance of alleged abuse found is too old to be prosecuted, something which Shapiro said needs to change.

"This is a systemic issue reflective of the institution (the church) itself," Shapiro said in a statement Tuesday. "We need stronger laws to protect our kids."

The comments come just a day after a former top Vatican diplomat, retired Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, penned a sharply worded letter that claimed Pope Francis was complicit in the cover up of the abuses by former New Jersey priest and Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

"He must honestly state when he first learned about the [alleged] crimes committed by McCarrick, who abused his authority with seminarians and priests," Vigano stated in the letter. "The Pope learned about it from me on June 23, 2013 and continued to cover for him." (Read the letter here.)

Francis did not deny there was any truth to the letter, but did not address the issue directly at a news conference Sunday while returning home from visiting Ireland, telling a reporter they should "read the document carefully and judge it" for themselves, The New York Times reported.

>>Pope Knew Of NJ Priest's Sexual Abuse Of Boys, Archbishop Says

Shapiro is hopeful that continued attention to the grand jury report will bring about change not only here at home in Pennsylvania, but elsewhere around the nation.

"I’ve had numerous private conversations with law enforcement leaders at all levels of government who are considering or who have opened investigations," Shapiro wrote on Facebook. "Sunshine is a powerful disinfectant."

The 900-page document lays out in horrifying detail the alleged abuse of more than 1,000 child victims by 300 "predator" priests in six of Pennsylvania's eight dioceses. The names of the priests are temporarily redacted (the full report can be viewed here).

>>300 PA Priests Sexually Abused 1,000 Children: Grand Jury

"Some were manipulated with alcohol or pornography. Some were made to masturbate their assailants, or were groped by them. Some were raped orally, some vaginally, some anally. But all of them were brushed aside, in every part of the state, by church leaders who preferred to protect the abusers and their institution above all," the grand jury report states.

>>6 Disturbing Details From PA Catholic Priest Sex Abuse Report

The grand jury has recommended four changes in response to its findings. First, eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for sexually abusing children. Next create a two-year "civil window" for child sex abuse victims who couldn't file lawsuits before. Third, penalties for a continuing failure to report child abuse must be clarified. And lastly, prohibit "non-disclosure" agreements regarding cooperation with law enforcement.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office has established a clergy abuse hotline, which has already fielded hundreds of allegations. That number is: 888-538-8541.

Patch correspondents Kara Seymour and Daniel Hubbard contributed to this report

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