YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown responded Thursday to the release of a report from Maryland’s attorney general that implicates more than 150 Catholic priests in the abuse of more than 600 children.

A former priest named in the report had ties to Youngstown and East Liverpool.

Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown made a statement that was apologetic, yet reassuring, noting that the church responds to allegations of clergy sexual abuse immediately and much more effectively now than it did in generations past.

“The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown grieves with all victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse. We are committed to walking with them and being agents of healing, working with them to ensure that this evil scourge never happens again. The recent release of the Maryland attorney general report opens the wounds of hurt and loss once again.”

The attorney general report contains 450 pages of redacted information on sexual abuse that occurred within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in the country. The report details more than 80 years of abuse covered up by church leaders.

The findings come after a yearslong grand jury investigation of multiple parishes with the report determining the number of child victims is “likely far higher.”

VALLEY TIE

One of the priests, John Hammer, served from 1979 to 1983 as associate pastor at the St. Louis Parish, in Louisville, Ohio; as well as St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown and St. Aloysius in East Liverpool in 1985.

The report details Hammer’s past assignments from 1979 to 2002. His abuse had been known by church leaders from as early as 1978, and covered up for decades, the report states.

Hammer was moved from different parishes throughout the years before being sent to pastor a church in Michigan where he abused at least one more child in the late 1990s before being suspended in 2002, according to the report.

Hammer was listed as credibly accused by the Baltimore Archdiocese in 2002, and he was forced to resign. His clerical status was withdrawn in 2006.

A lawsuit against the Diocese of Youngstown shows that three former altar boys from Youngstown had accused church leaders of knowing of the abuse by Hammer but did nothing to stop it, instead moving the pastor among parishes.

In October 1985, the report states the Youngstown Diocese sent Hammer for treatment in Maryland for sex addiction and pedophilia. Later, the report states that Hammer went through further treatment at an aftercare program in 1986, which the report said did not mention keeping him away from children.

The report stated that the late Bishop James Malone of Youngstown sent letters seeking full-time employment for Hammer within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In that letter, Malone stated Hammer could not be placed back in Youngstown because three parents opposed his return, according to the report. Throughout the 1990s, he continued serving in multiple parishes. The report states that Hammer abused at least one more child during his time in Michigan.

His photo and bio remain on the Diocese of Saginaw, Mich., website but it notes he “does not function as a priest.”

ASSURANCE

Bonnar’s statement continues: “The reference to the late Bishop James Malone, the third Bishop of Youngstown, and how the John Hammer case was dealt with then no doubt triggers a wide range of emotions. As bishop, I apologize for all hurt and harm to anyone who has been abused by a cleric.

“I want to assure the faithful, but most especially victim survivors, that the church responds to allegations of clergy sexual abuse immediately and much more effectively now than it did in generations past because of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, independent review boards, background checks, safe environment coordinators, victims assistance coordinators, greater screening and scrutiny of priesthood candidates, clergy misconduct policies, and ongoing education and formation for everyone.

“Additionally, Pope Francis has revised church law to ensure that nobody can be in ministry who is guilty of sexual abuse. Furthermore, bishops who are negligent in the handling of abuse cases will be held responsible. The church continues her pursuit to end this evil and to help bring about healing for victim survivors.”

SCOPE OF ABUSE

According to the report, more than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused more than 600 children and often escaped accountability. The scope of abuse spanned 80 years and accuses church leaders of decades of coverups.

The report paints a damning picture of the archdiocese that spans much of Maryland. Some parishes, schools and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time — including St. Mark Parish in Catonsville, which had 11 abusers living and working there between 1964 and 2004. One deacon admitted to molesting more than 100 children. Another priest was allowed to feign hepatitis treatment and make other excuses to avoid facing abuse allegations.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released the findings of their yearslong investigation during Holy Week — considered the most sacred time of year in Christianity ahead of Easter Sunday — and said the number of victims likely is far higher. The report was redacted to protect confidential grand jury materials, meaning the identities of some accused clergy were removed.

“The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the church hierarchy,” the report said. “The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers’ conduct and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing.”