BishopAccountability.org
	Priest List Release Stuns Archdiocese My Fox Philly March 10, 2011 http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/031011-priest-list-release-stuns-archdiocese The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is a church in crisis as the fallout from the latest grand jury report continues. A list of 21 suspended priests has surfaced but it was not released by the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has not publicly commented on the list or released its own version of the list. But Cardinal Sean O'Malley in Boston said the news that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia allowed priests with allegations against them to remain in the ministry was "very disturbing." O’Malley said at a news conference whenever the Church “tries to cover up . . . it is just so disappointing to all of us, to the whole church.’’ O'Malley's criticism was seen as unusual since it is rare for a top cleric to criticize another archdiocese. He's not alone, as more bishops from around the country are criticizing what's happening in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, 21 priests within the Philadelphia Diocese were suspended after an initial grand jury report detailing an on-going cover-up within the city. Some of the priests may have allegations of sexual abuse against them, while others are on notice of inappropriate behavior. Fox 29 spoke with writer Rocco Palmo about the scandal. Palmo writes the widely read "Whispers in the Loggia" blog on the Catholic church and has appeared on many national TV shows as a commentator about the church. On his blog, Palmo said the 21 priests were given eight hours' notice that had to leave church property. “The church will change forever because of this,” Palmo told Fox 29 . “Everyone’s faith is beyond shaken by this.” Palmo said the greatest scandal in the church happened in 2002 in Boston, until the current scandal in Philadelphia. One problem, Palmo said, is that local churches will lose parishioners, which could be a factor in forcing the church to close more and more parishes in the Archdiocese. The suspended priests also had visible roles in the community, Palmo said on his blog. The suspended included "a former rector of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul who likewise served as vice-rector of St Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook; a recent head of one of the Philadelphia church's six regional vicariates, the current head of a chancery office, several well-regarded suburban pastors (two of whom were leading the twin parishes of the same high-profile town), a frequent contributor to the archdiocesan weekly, the Catholic Standard and Times, two priests ordained 60-plus years, and two clerics of religious orders," Palmo said. Many parisohoners found out about their priests on Ash Wednesday, one of the holiest times in the Catholic Church. Besides the 21 priests placed on administrative leave Tuesday , three others were suspended a week after the report's release in February. The Archdiocese said the action followed an initial examination of files looking at both the substance of allegations and the process by which those allegations were reviewed. The next step in each case is a thorough independent investigation. Cardinal Justin Rigali said in a statement earlier this week that, "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." Despite witness accounts of clergy named at Wednesday masses, the Archdiocese declined to confirm or deny specific names. 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 earlier.
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