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Philadelphia Churches, Schools Shaken As Suspended Priests List Revealed By Victoria Leigh Miller Yahoo News March 10, 2011 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110310/tr_ac/8030874_philadelphia_churches_schools_shaken_as_suspended_priests_list_revealed COMMENTARY | It has been a long time coming, but on Wednesday the Archdiocese of Philadelphia finally began to release the names of 21 of the Roman Catholic priests who have been suspended from the ministry pending a massive child sexual abuse investigation. The move came after a grand jury report last month named the priests as suspects in the case, which will examine allegations of inappropriate behavior. While the priests are not yet presumed guilty, in a statement that was posted on the Archdiocese website Cardinal Justin Rigali said, "I want to be clear: These administrative leaves are interim measures. They are not in any way final determinations or judgments." Cardinal Rigali also added, "I know that for many people their trust in the Church has been shaken. I pray that the efforts of the Archdiocese to address these cases of concern and to re-evaluate our way of handling allegations will help rebuild that trust in truth and justice." The priests in question are of varying ages- one was ordained into the priesthood in 1948 while another was ordained as recently as 2004. Philly.com has a list of the suspended priests by the Archdiocese as of Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, because several of the parishes affected have accompanying schools, school administrators scrambled to notify parents of the actions that are being taken by the Archdiocese. At SS. Simon and Jude School in West Chester, a letter to parents was posted on the school's website regarding the administrative leave of Rev. Glatts. The letter included resources to help parents discuss the priest scandal with their children. The suspensions of the priests come as the Christian season of Lent began on Wednesday, which ushers in one of the most solemn times of the year for Catholics. Lent is also a time for forgiveness. But will the victims of sexual abuse ever be able forgive the priests who harmed them? |
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