Monday, folks across the area remembered the longest serving bishop in the history of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese.
People at Monday’s viewing for Bishop Joseph Adamec say their church, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, faced hard financial times and other issues during Adamec’s tenure, but they hope people will remember the good, Bishop Adamec brought to the community.
Joseph Adamec died last Wednesday at the age of 83.
He served as a bishop from 1987 until 2011.
Controversy came about towards the end of his time with the diocese..
In 2016, a state grand jury report accused Adamec and Bishop Hogan of covering up decades of child sex abuse by more than 50 priests that they supervised.
James Hogan died in 2005.
No charges were ever filed against Adamec, and he denied any wrongdoing.
Candles were lit, the organ played, prayers recited, and a spot in a front pew of the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament left empty -all to honor Bishop Joseph Adamec.
He says the bishop started many ministries that are still thriving today.
However his reputation was tarnished following his alleged involvment in covering up the child sex abused scandal within the church.
“I wish we could all remember all of the good. There’s a lot of good there that has unfortunately been tainted,” Fromknecht, said.
There will be another viewing at the cathedral Tuesday morning at 10, followed by a funeral mass at 11.
