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Clergy Abuse Crisis in Philadelphia: Initial Results of Year-Long Review
Catholic World Report ^ | 5/7/12 | Michael J. Miller

Posted on 05/08/2012 6:19:50 AM PDT by marshmallow

At a news conference on Friday, May 4, 2012, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia announced that “the work of the special team investigating the 26 priests publicly placed on leave by Cardinal Rigali last year is now largely done.” He recalled that “the 2011 grand jury report challenged the Archdiocese to review certain cases of past allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy as well as some cases involving violations of the Archdiocese’s Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries.

The 26 cases were examined by “a veteran Philadelphia child abuse prosecutor, Mrs. Gina Maisto Smith, and a multi-disciplinary team of recognized experts in the field of child protection,” whose findings were then studied by the recently expanded Archdiocesan Review Board.

Archbishop Chaput, who was appointed to Philadelphia only eight months ago, emphasized the Church’s pastoral concern for the victims of clergy sexual abuse.

No lesson from the abuse scandal is more important than the understanding that the people who suffer most are the victims. Over the years, as part of my ministry as a bishop, I have met personally with many victims and this humbling experience has taught me that no words can sufficiently describe the hurt a victim feels. I have in the past and again today share my deep sadness and again offer a heartfelt apology on behalf of the Archdiocese to all victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Of those 26 priests who have been on administrative leave for more than a year, three have now been found suitable for active ministry, one has died, and five have been found unfit (but may appeal to Rome). Charges of sexual abuse of a minor were substantiated in the case of one of the five priests who were judged unsuitable for active ministry. The substantiated charges against the other four priests........

(Excerpt) Read more at catholicworldreport.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: paedophilia

1 posted on 05/08/2012 6:19:55 AM PDT by marshmallow
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