BishopAccountability.org
	Archdiocese Puts More 21 Priests on Leave My Fox Philly March 8, 2011 http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/030811-archdiocese-puts-21-priests-put-on-leave The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has placed 21 more priests on leave Tuesday after they were named in a Grand Jury report about sexual abuse. Cardinal Justin Rigali said he placed the 21 priests on administrative leave, and the "action follows an initial examination of files looking at both the substance of allegations and the process by which those allegations were reviewed. In each case the next step is a thorough independent investigation." “These have been difficult weeks since the release of the Grand Jury Report: difficult most of all for victims of sexual abuse, but also for all Catholics and for everyone in our community," Rigali said. “As we strive to move forward today, I wish to express again my sorrow for the sexual abuse of minors committed by any members of the Church, especially clergy. I am truly sorry for the harm done to the victims of sexual abuse, as well as to the members of our community who suffer as a result of this great evil and crime.” The Archdiocese put three other priests on leave recently after the Grand Jury report said 37 priests were of concern. The Archdiocese said five others would have been subject to administrative leave, but weren't put on leave due to circumstances such as health issues and transfers. The other eight priests will not be subject to administrative leave, the church says, because an initial independent examination of their cases found no further investigation was warranted. “I want to be clear," Rigali said. "These administrative leaves are interim measures. They are not in any way final determinations or judgments.”
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.