AG opens probe of pedophile priests

State Attorney General Barbara Underwood launched a statewide probe of pedophile priests Thursday, issuing subpoenas seeking information from every diocese in New York.

In addition to partnering with prosecutors on criminal issues, the attorney general’s Charities Bureau, which oversees nonprofits, will also look into how the church reviewed and potentially covered up allegations of extensive sexual abuse of minors, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

Underwood (inset), meanwhile, urged victims and anyone with information about anyone sexually assaulted by priests to reach out through a new hotline and a new website, and reiterated calls for the state Legislature to pass a Child Victims Act.

The move comes weeks after a Pennsylvania grand jury released a report that detailed how hundreds of priests — including some with New York ties — abused and terrorized more than 1,000 children for decades while the church turned its back.

“The Pennsylvania grand jury report shined a light on incredibly disturbing and depraved acts by Catholic clergy, assisted by a culture of secrecy and coverups in the dioceses,” Underwood said in a statement.

Despite Underwood’s determination, many cases of abuse may never see a day in court because of New York’s statutes of limitations.

The attorney general’s office has repeatedly urged the Legislature to pass the Child Victims Act, which would allow victims to file civil suits until age 50 and seek criminal charges until age 28.