By Ivey DeJesus
Email: idejesus@pennlive.com

Ahead of what is expected to be a blistering report on child sex crimes in the Catholic Church, PennLive on Friday will host a roundtable discussion with victims of clergy sex abuse.

The victims have agreed to share their stories and experiences testifying before investigating grand juries. All the victims have testified before grand juries that have investigated clergy sex abuse in Pennsylvania, including the current investigation into six dioceses, and previous probes into abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

PennLive will stream the event live on PennLive’s Facebook page beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2018.

Readers with questions for the panel are welcome to post them in the comment section below.

The findings from the current investigation into abuse in the dioceses of Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Scranton, Erie and Greensburg is currently under a stay order from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which is considering challenges lodged by at least two dozen members of the clergy named in the report.

Victims and their advocates say the delay in the report further traumatizes victims and may even put some in danger.

The members of the clergy who have challenged the report are arguing that the report from the 18-month long investigation by the state Office of Attorney General violates their constitutional rights to due process and the right to protect their reputation.

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro has appealed to the court to lift the temporary block and release the report.

Victims are widely calling for reform to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. They argue that current laws do not extend to them legal recourse.