September 18, 2005

As grand jury's term ends, a frank view of clergy abuse

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer

By Craig R. McCoy
Inquirer Staff Writer

With its term expiring yesterday, the Philadelphia grand jury investigation into clergy sexual abuse - the nation's longest-running such probe - is expected soon to issue an exhaustive report.

The inquiry is expected to add extensive new information about the extent of the problem and how the church's leadership responded to reports of abuse.

While the Philadelphia Archdiocese says it has identified at least 44 priests who have sexually abused minors, it has refused to name them.

The Inquirer, through interviews and court records, has identified several dozen.

The archdiocese has said that disclosing the names of all accused priests "would be like a second strike" on victims, perhaps causing their identities, in turn, to be made public.

Posted by kshaw at September 18, 2005 10:32 AM