BishopAccountability.org
	Area Residents on Rigali Resignation: It's about Time (video) By Carl Rotenberg Times Herald July 19, 2011 http://timesherald.com/articles/2011/07/18/news/doc4e248b05ad3ff232747769.txt The alleged sexual abuse of children by members of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia weighed heavily in the opinions of people in Norristown as they talked about the possibility that Cardinal Justin Rigali would resign on Tuesday. “God knows the truth,” said Sharon Birckett of Coatesville. “I think he had some connection to it.” Mark Scott of Collegeville said, “I’m happy to see him go, from the aspect of what was going on in the church.” Scott said it was “a shame” that the sexual abuse scandal had tarnished the reputation of law-abiding people who attended the Catholic church. “It’s time for him to enjoy retirement,” said Danielle King of Philadelphia, “and allow them to renew the way things are run.” A man from Rockville, Md., who requested anonymity said, “I’m very suspicious about how the church has been trying to hide crimes by priests.” Lorraine of Norristown said Rigali “should have resigned a long time ago. He knew what was going on in the church and he covered it up.” An official of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Monday afternoon in an email that Rigali’s resignation had not been confirmed. “Any announcement of such a nature would come from the Vatican,” said Kenneth A. Gavin, the associate director of communications at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, “and I do not have any information to share at this time. We will be sure to be in touch with anything further.” Rigali was appointed as the 12th bishop of Philadelphia on July 15, 2003. He was made cardinal in about two months and installed as archbishop of Philadelphia on Oct. 7. Nick Maltas of Wayne called the alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests “disgusting.” “Priests are the one person you are supposed to be able to trust. It’s absolutely disgusting molesting kids. Priests need to be serving jail terms.” Maltas was unsure whether a change in the top leadership at the Philadelphia archdiocese would make any difference in the future conduct of priests. “I don’t know the man, but they are going to put someone else in his place,” he said. “It’s not going to change anything.” A former altar boy who described himself as an “estranged Catholic,” had already gone past the question of the resignation and moved on to the future prosecution of the Catholic hierarchy. “Resign?,” the man, who requested anonymity, wrote in an email. “He and Anthony Bevilacqua should turn themselves in at police headquarters.” Carl Rotenberg can be reached at 610-272-2500 ext. 350 or crotenberg@timesherald.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.