OPINION: Philadelphia Archdiocese clears abuse victim’s $95,000 debt in act of true mercy | Maria Panaritis

PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Inquirier

February 2, 2020

By Maria Panaritis

After 18 years of chronicling the horrors of clergy abuse within the Pennsylvania Catholic Church, including cover-ups that helped hundreds of predator priests avoid a single day in jail, the church may finally be due a round of applause.

Namely, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

I usually have fierce criticism for this institution that serves 1.3 million Catholics across five counties. Today, I urge congratulations. It has shown itself capable of something that has been tragically elusive for years regarding children harmed by the scourge of abuse.

It happened a few days ago in a Bucks County courtroom. And apparently, coincidentally, the gesture came the day before the official naming of Archbishop Nelson Pérez as the successor to Charles Chaput.

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