The pope speaks; now it's time for Pa. to act

There's a certain irony that Pennsylvania is once again in the national spotlight surrounding the issue of sexually abusive priests.

The state has now hit the trifecta, of sorts.

First, it was the Philadelphia archdiocese, which actually saw two audits.

Then it was Altoona-Johnstown going under the microscope.

Last week it was a massive, 900-page tome examining the remaining six dioceses in the state, detailing in horrifying fashion the depraved acts of more than 300 priests who abused 1,000 children - and likely as many more who could not be identified - over seven decades.

That means that every area in the state has been examined.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro is being hailed for his work in bringing these horrors to light.

But the irony is that while the state has been a trendsetter in detailing the abuse, it still lags when it comes to helping the victims.

That sits in the lap of our Legislature.

Yesterday we heard from Pope Francis, who called the actions of abusive priests and the bishops who covered up their actions flatly a 'crime.'

But it's time for more than talk.

It's time to act.

We suggest how on today's editorial page.

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