Grand jury to probe allegations of abuse by local priests (Philadelphia)

Philadelphia Inquirer online ^ | Wed. Ap. 24, 2002 | Christopher K. Hepp

[history_matters]

District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham said today that she will convene a grand jury to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by priests in Philadelphia.

The grand jury will look into "all allegations involving priests whether they are dead, dismissed or retired," Abraham said. "We intend to have have full and wide-ranging inquiry to make sure all laws were complied with and if they were not, why not."

She said she expected the grand jury to look into allegations going back "at least 35 years."

Abraham said the Philadelphia archdiocese, through its attorneys, had pledged full cooperation with her efforts.

"Lawyers for the archdiocese have agreed to comply with my request for all relevant information in all cases of allegations of sexual abuse that we ask them for," she said. "They have pledged their full cooperation with us."

The archdiocese has said that it had "credible evidence" of abuse by 35 of its priests over the past 50 years. It has declined to make public those priests' names.

Abraham said her office had not yet asked for priests' names but indicated that the grand jury would be seeking information pertaining to any allegations of crimes by priests that may have been committed within the city limits.

She said she believed that the grand jury secrecy and subpoena power would aid in the investigation. She said she was uncertain how long the investigation would last, but promised a public airing of its findings.

In a statement, the archdiocese said it "acknowledges with surprise and, quite frankly, disappointment the decision of the district attorney to call a grand jury." Nonetheless, the archdiocese pledged its cooperation.

[history_matters]

I support Cardinal Bevilacqua. He has been no nonsense and has rooted out the homosexuals from the seminaries during his reign.

"A candle is never diminished by the darkness. Take heart." --Cardinal Bevilacqua

[history_matters]

ping

[Texaggie79]

Is "probe" REALLY the choice word to use?

[history_matters]

I am gratified to see that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is not afraid to deal with

Chickenhawk-gate.

[history_matters]

In a statement, the archdiocese said it "acknowledges with surprise and, quite frankly, disappointment the decision of the district attorney to call a grand jury." Nonetheless, the archdiocese pledged its cooperation.

As a rule I do not want the government getting its talons into the Church, but I believe that this is a necessary part of the purification to which God is calling the Church.

[AmericanInTokyo]

bump bump ping ping

[history_matters]

Volley bump!......ping.........ping.

[Angelique]

As a rule I do not want the government getting its talons into the Church, but I believe that this is a necessary part of the purification to which God is calling the Church

As stated before, when at Catholic University, I met such wonderful priests. It is so sad that some degenerates have pervaded the Church, but they are a minority.

The grand jury probe is necessary because the Church did nothing to cure the problem. I still find it absolutely unbelievable that Cardinal Law still within standing in the Catholic Church. Edmund Burke has spoken the best words, ever. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for the good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

[LadyDoc]

Neither "Tony" nor "King Krol" would have put up with pedophiles. However, there are a couple Jesuit institutions and the Christian Brothers schools where abuse might have occured and been covered up (not directly under his jurisdiction).

[redhead]

Bumping...

[Eva]

I have mentioned a case of a priest molesting the acolytes in a suburban Philadelphia parish. The parents of the victims agreed not to press charges if the priest was removed from the parish. They did not want the incident exposed then and I am sure that the victims would not want the incidnet exposed now.

[history_matters]

May God give grace and healing to the victims and their families.

Tonight I have finally been able to pray for the conversion of the sex-criminals and for their coming to reconciliation with God. I could only do that while in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

[Antoninus]

Thank the Lord. Cardinal Bevilacqua seems to be one of the good ones. May God watch over and guide him.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Eucharist Index

[tiki]

Is there a statute of limitations for these crimes? How about civil liabilities? I'm just wondering.

[history_matters]

I'm afraid I don't know. I believe it varies from state to state, and I don't know the statute in Penna.

Maybe LadyDoc does.....?

[fatima]

LaryDoc,you called it right,as for us in Philly, Betty Davis would say,and I dont't have this perfect."Fasten your seatbelts folks ,we are in for a bumpy ride "

[Domestic Church]

LaryDoc,you called it right,as for us in Philly, Betty Davis would say,and I dont't have this perfect."Fasten your seatbelts folks ,we are in for a bumpy ride "

I grew up and went to parochial school with some of the Bevilacqua family on LI. They are good solid Catholics and I was very glad when the Cardinal was sent here to the Philly Archdiocese after Cardinal Krol died but we've got a big problem in my own parish with a priest so Cardinal Bevilacqua hasn't been able to fix everything and there is infiltration of the lavender mafia even here too. The problem is national at least.

[ThomasMore]

The problem is national at least.

The problem is worldwide. Australia, Netherlands, Ireland, Africa...the list goes on and on. Everyone has been saying it; get rid of the actively gay priests; keep homosexuality out of the seminaries and much of this problem will end. The bishops and cardinals need to learn when pastoral is appropriate and when "kickin' butt" is a necessity. Bishop Bruskowitz(sp?) is an example of one who knew when to be pastoral and when to lay down the law.

Covering-up and keeping things hush-hush has got to stop. Things are much worse when the hierarchy doesn't disclose serious problems.