By Dana Kennedy
Aol News
March 10, 2011
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/10/philadelphia-cardinal-justin-rigalis-apology-not-enough-advoca/
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| Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, asked during an Ash Wednesday Mass for forgiveness from victims of sexual abuse by the clergy. |
As Philadelphia-area parishioners began to learn the names of the 21 Catholic priests suspended in connection with alleged child sexual abuse, advocates for victims criticized the archbishop's plea for forgiveness and handling of the scandal.
Cardinal Justin Rigali asked a capacity crowd at Philadelphia's Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ash Wednesday for "forgiveness of all those whom we have offended in any way" and added that the church is re-evaluating how it handles abuse allegations, CNN reported.
After a grand jury report released last month indicated that 37 priests in the diocese were still serving despite credible allegations of child sexual abuse, Rigali said Tuesday that 21 priests had been placed on administrative leave.
Last month, the district attorney's office charged two priests, a former priest and a Catholic school teacher with raping boys in the 1990s.
In his homily, Rigali acknowledged "the grave sins of sexual abuse committed against minors, in particular by members of the clergy. We experience the need to ask God's forgiveness repeatedly in our liturgy and to offer prayers of reparation for the sins and for all the sins of the world."
But an advocate for survivors said Rigali's words were not enough, according to CNN.
"Asking for prayers is fine. Asking victims, witnesses and whistle-blowers to call police is better," said Peter Isely, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. "That's what protects kids -- when adults overcome their fear and shame and help law enforcement catch criminals. That's what Rigali should be prodding his flock to do."
Others praised Rigali for taking the proper steps to rid the church of sex abuse by clergymen.
"The church is going to become stronger," said Mario D'Adamo, 57, a court administrator, as he left the stone Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul here after the noon Mass, The New York Times said.
"Like a tree that's being pruned," he said, "they are taking the bad branches off."
The archdiocese has not released a list of the suspended priests or the accusations against them.
But Philadelphia-area news organizations began identifying them on websites Wednesday afternoon, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.
Church officials decided to inform only the parishes in which the priests served. As a result, parishioners arrived at Ash Wednesday services not knowing if their pastors had been placed on leave.
At St. Philomena Church in Lansdowne, parishioners found out their pastor had departed on the same day his Lenten message was posted on the church website, the Inquirer reported.
"Happy Lent!" the Rev. Paul A. Castellani wrote. "Lent is an opportunity for us to stop for a few moments and to think how God has worked in our lives, and continues to do so, even when things do not go as we have planned or expected."
Donna Farrell, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, told the Inquirer that the archdiocese did not name the priests in a public list because the allegations against them include a "include a wide range of complaints," some of which are unconfirmed or denied by the accused priests.
Farrell said the priests' suspensions were "interim measures, not a final determination or judgment" of guilt.
Another victim advocate assailed that decision. "Incredibly irresponsible," said David Clohessy, executive director of SNAP.
"Every moment these predators' names are hidden gives them more opportunity to intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, discredit whistle-blowers, fabricate alibis and even flee the country," he said.
Clohessy said that naming the priests, and detailing their assignments, could be vital information for police and victims.
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