PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Northeast Times
By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer
After the powerful accusations, the painful revelations, the admissions and the denials from the highest levels of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic hierarchy, the mission is clear for parish-based priests across the city.
In the two weeks since the public release of a grand jury report detailing decades of sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy, the daunting task facing church leaders now is to facilitate the healing process.
While a series of local pastors contacted by the Northeast Times last week each described how parishioners have rallied around their neighborhood churches in a display of solidarity, the same church leaders concede that many challenges remain as local Catholics attempt to come to terms with the sex scandal.
The grand jury report, a product of a 40-month investigation conducted by the civilian panel at the direction of the district attorney’s office, named 63 former or current priests as sexual abusers of children and alluded to hundreds of victims. The report also accused the former leadership of Archdiocese of Philadelphia of covering up hundreds of sex abuse complaints.