PHILLY Archdiocese Restores 4 Accused Priests, Removes 2 Others

By David O'Reilly
Philadelphia Inquirer
July 6, 2012

http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-06/news/32566869_1_priests-archdiocese-sexual-abuse

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced it is restoring to ministry four priests who were accused of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with a minor, and removing two.

The two priests who will not be returned to ministry are the Rev. John Bowe, 64 and the Rev. David Givey, 68.

Restored to ministry will be the Rev. Paul Castellani, 53, Msgr. John Close, 68, Rev. Steven Harris, 57, and Rev. Leonard Peterson, 70.

In an announcement issued Friday, the archdiocese said the allegations against the four had not been substantiated despite lengthy investigations.

Bowe and Givey were found to have violated the archdiocese's Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, which is considered a lesser allegation than sexual assault.

These can include such misconduct as "grooming" a child for a possible sexual encounter with behavior such as serving them alcohol or showing them pornography. The archdiocese's announcement did not divulge the specifics of the allegations against any of the four priests.

The archdiocese suspended the six along with 26 other priests in February and March of 2011 following a Philadelphia grand jury report that said they were serving in ministries despite allegations of misconduct.

The archdiocese undertook its own investigation of the charges.

Contact staff writer David O'Reilly at 610-313-8111 or doreilly@phillynews.com