HARRISBURG — The state Supreme Court on Monday named McKean County Judge John Cleland to help figure out what can be made public in a grand jury’s report into child sexual abuse in six Pennsylvania Roman Catholic dioceses.

Cleland, who has gained national recognition for his work on the juvenile justice system after the Luzerne County kids-for-cash scandal in 2009, and later for presiding over the child molestation trial of Jerry Sandusky, told The Era Monday night that he sees it not as an honor, but as a responsibility.

“I think of it as a part of and a responsibility of being a judge,” Cleland said. “I don’t think of it as an honor. I’m just glad the Supreme Court thinks I can be helpful.”

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of the child sexual abuse report, but says names and other identifying information will have to be blacked out regarding priests and others who are challenging the report’s accuracy and fairness as it pertains to them.

Cleland explained his current assignment.

“What I’ve been asked to do, the grand jury issued this investigative report. There were, by public account, some 300 or more priests named in it,” the judge said.

Cleland explained, “Some number of those people filed a petition with the Supreme Court to say ‘We never had a chance to defend ourselves and we want that report held out from the public until we can do that.’”

The Supreme Court is trying to balance the rights of those who are raising a claim with the need to release the grand jury report in a timely manner.

“The court asked me to redact or eliminate any information that might identify those who asked the court to be blocked,” Cleland said. The goal is to release a redacted version of the report within two weeks’ time.

“In the meantime the Supreme Court will be hearing their petitions and considering what to do,” Cleland explained. “When that’s all done, a report will come out.”

Cleland was McKean County’s president judge from 1984 to 2008 before serving two years on the state Superior Court. Now retired, he serves as a senior judge for short- or long-term assignments anywhere in the state.

When asked about the difficult tasks he has undertaken as a senior judge, and the trust shown by the state’s judiciary for his work, Cleland characteristically brushed aside any kudos.

“Whether it’s been a good job or not a good job, I just did what I was asked to do and I have to leave it to others to decide whether it was the right direction,” he said with a laugh. “I’m thankful that a guy from McKean County has had the opportunity to help in such a way.”