PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By Jim Remsen and David O'Reilly
Inquirer Staff Writers
We're moving forward.
That is the message the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has stressed as it seeks to recover from the recent grand jury revelations of priest abuse and official cover-ups.
Cardinal Justin Rigali and archdiocesan lawyers complained that the scathing report failed to credit the archdiocese for the various reforms it has put in place to protect children.
"I pledge that we will do whatever is humanly possible so that no child ever comes to harm again," Rigali said at a news conference hours after the grand jury report was released.
The church reforms operate on several fronts. Besides immediately reporting any abuse allegations to law enforcement officials, the archdiocese now has an office to assist victims of priest abuse, a "Safe Environment" training program for students and workers, a review board to evaluate abuse allegations, and a system to supervise priests suspended for credible abuse accusations.