My Fox Philly
February 16, 2011
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/021611-cardinal-rigali-investigating-37-priests
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Cardinal Justin Rigali, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, said on Wednesday he will investigate as many as 37 priests named in a Grand Jury report who were linked to prior claims of sexual abuse.
"Sexual abuse of children is a crime. It is always wrong and gravely evil. Protecting children, preventing child abuse and assisting victims are priorities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia," said Cardinal Rigali in a statement.
"The Grand Jury Report makes clear that for as much as the Archdiocese has done to address child sexual abuse, there is still much to do."
Rigali ordered the immediate re-examination of all cases named in the Grand Jury report, which said many priests remain in active ministry in Philadelphia with credible allegations of child sexual abuse, but whose crimes may be beyond the statute of limitations.
The Archdiocese has hired Gina Maisto Smith, a partner in the high-profile law firm Ballard Spahr, to investigate the cases.
The Archdiocese said Smith is a former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney who has prosecuted many child sexual assault cases.
Smith will re-examine all the cases and make recommendations to Rigali.
The Archdiocese put three other priests on administrative leave: Father Joseph L. DiGregorio, Father Joseph J. Gallagher and Father Stephen B. Perzan.
Rigali said all three will refrain from the public exercise of ministry pending the outcome of a second review of their cases.
Last week, three priests and a teacher were charged with sex crimes after they were named in the Grand Jury report.
Charged with rape, assault and other felonies related to minorswere former archdiocesan priest Edward V. Avery, 68, of Haverford; Father Charles Engelhardt, 64, of Wyndmoor and a priest Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; an archdiocesan priest, Father James J. Brennan, 47, of Linfield; and former lay teacher, Bernard Shero, 48, of Bristol.
Msgr. William J. Lynn, 60, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown, was charged on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
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