Elk County Catholic responds after priests suspected of abuse are named

ST. MARYS, Pa. - Elk County Catholic School System has released a statement following the Diocese of Erie releasing priests' names who have been accused of sexual abuse.

"Elk County Catholic School System is deeply committed to the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff. We adhere to all state and Diocesan standards in crafting our policies to comply with best practices in the education field," opened the statement.

The school system said it supports Bishop Lawrence Persico's revision to the policy naming priests who have been accused.

The diocese unveiled the names Friday.

"As Bishop Persico pointed out in his statement, the details surrounding these individual cases are in the hands of the state attorney general. The current administration of ECCSS cannot provide more information because we simply do not know the results of the investigation. We are not conducting it ourselves," according to the statement.

However, in an article published by the Courier Express, a former priest said that Rev. Monsignor Daniel Martin abused him. Martin had served as headmaster at Elk County Catholic. Martin has since passed away.

Below is the full statement:

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