BishopAccountability.org
	Parishioners Cope with Abuse Claims My Fox Philly February 14, 2011 http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/parishioners-cope-with-abuse-claims021311 [with video] PHILADELPHIA - During Mass in a Catholic church in the northeast area of the city following the release of a grand jury report and the arrest of several priests and a teacher for alleged abuse, a priest said the Archdiocese of Philadelphia needs to investigate internally, but then criticized recent media coverage and the district attorney. The comments gave some parishioners pause and led them to question whether or not the church understands the situation and is responding appropriately. The acknowledgment of abuse and the pain it has caused paired with defensiveness has characterized the response of local church officials. In the recent grand jury report, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, a Catholic, accused the archdiocese of allowing dozens of priests accused of abuse to remain in the ministry. Cardinal Justin Rigali denied those allegations in a statement issued soon after grand jury report. Rigali also released a video statement to the local faithful, in which he said the release of the report caused "great sadness," and spoke of the pain the victims of abuse have suffered. As a result of a law enforcement investigation, three priests and one teacher have been arrested for abuse, while a monsignor is facing charges for allowing the alleged abuse to occur while he supervised the priests In the wake of the recent abuse allegations, the archdiocese has announced it has hired a psychologist to work with priests who have personal problems and created a position for an outside consultant to investigate abuse charges and report them to the police if considered to be credible.
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