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	Catholics React to Suspension of 21 Priests By Joscelyn Moes WFMZ March 11, 2011 http://www.wfmz.com/bucksnews/27153846/detail.html [with video] As the Lenten season gets underway, the local Catholic community is trying to come to terms with the suspension of 21 priests. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia put the priests on administrative leave pending further investigation. At the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, Cardinal Justin Rigali expressed sorrow for the victims of sexual abuse. "Once again we renew our commitment to make every effort possible to prevent these evil acts and to protect children from harm," said Cardinal Justin Rigali. This week, Cardinal Rigali placed 21 priests on administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse or other improper behavior with minors. Six of the priests are from Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and include Reverend Mark Fernandes. He was ordained in 2004 and assigned to Saint Agnes Church in Sellersville, Bucks County. The church's website lists Fernandes as a Parochial Vicar. "I'm very happy that they did take the initiative to suspend the priests that they thought were doing anything and I'm glad that they are looking into the matter," said Sellersville resident Charlie Godshall. The archdiocese announced it suspended the priests in response to last month's Grand Jury Report. The report questioned why the priests were still in ministry despite the accusations. Meantime, the Survivors Network of those Abused By Priests or SNAP wrote a letter to Cardinal Rigali begging him to fire victims assistance coordinators. Citing the Grand Jury Report, SNAP writes coordinators are misleading victims and not keeping victims' statements confidential. SNAP goes on to say in at least one case a coordinator handed previously confidential victim's records over to one victim's abuser. On Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Rigali told churchgoers his plans to re-evaluate the way the church handles abuse allegations. "The protection of children is paramount," said Cardinal Rigali. Cardinal Rigali says the administrative leaves are interim measures. He says they're not in any way final determinations or judgments.
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