BishopAccountability.org
	Archdiocese Suspends 3 Accused Priests in Philadelphia By John P. Martin Sun News February 16, 2011 http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/02/16/1986136/archdiocese-suspends-3-accused.html PHILADELPHIA -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Thursday it has suspended three priests named in last week's grand jury report on child sex abuse, and pledged to immediately review the cases of dozens of other priests in active ministry despite accusations of inappropriate behavior involving minors. "Many people of faith and in the community at large think that the Archdiocese does not understand the gravity of child sexual abuse," Cardinal Justin Rigali said in a statement. "We do. The task before us now is to recognize where we have fallen short and to let our actions speak to our resolve." Church officials said they had hired a former Philadelphia prosecutor, Gina Maisto Smith, to lead their review of the cases. Smith spent nearly two decades prosecuting sex assaults as an assistant district attorney. The steps came six days after a Philadelphia grand jury indicted four priests and accused the archdiocese of failing in its attempt to identify abusive priests and protect children. In their statement, church officials described the latest move as the cardinal's "continuing response" to that grand jury report. Rigali's statement said he was placing on administrative leave three priests who the grand jury said were allowed to remain in active ministry despite credible allegations of misconduct. The Revs. Joseph L. DiGregorio, Joseph J. Gallagher and Stephen B. Perzan "will refrain from public ministry" until that review is complete, Rigali said. Of the three, only DiGregorio, of Stella Maris Parish in Philadelphia, has publicly responded to the grand jury report, denying any wrongdoing and saying he was falsely smeared with an allegation that was four decades old. The grand jury cited their cases as examples of what it said was a flawed system that was more eager to protect the archdiocese and its priests than help abuse victims or pursue their complaints. The panel said it had identified as many as 37 priests who were allowed to remain in active ministry after being accused of sexual abuse or otherwise inappropriate behavior with a minor. Rigali has bluntly disputed that. But archdiocesan officials have not responded to requests for more detail on the cases in question.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.