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	Clergy Sex Abuse Victims Face Philadelphia Priests Two Adults Abused by Priests, Mother of Two Other Victims Speak at Friday's Event NBC 10 September 16, 2006 http://www.nbc10.com/news/9861786/detail.html Wynnewood, Pa. -- A couple of clergy sex abuse victims looked directly into the eyes of priests Friday and told them to listen to their stories -- what other priests did to them. "He would take me for rides in his car, often taking me to some secluded woods where he would rape me," said one woman from the podium. Priests gathered for two hours at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood to hear from two adults -- one man, one woman -- who as children were abused by priests. They also heard from a parent of two other victims. Cardinal Justin Rigali called Friday's meeting -- on the "Feast of Our Mother of Sorrows" -- so priests could hear from victims directly. The event was organized by a victim's advocate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia hired this year. A Philadelphia grand jury probe last year identified 63 archdiocesan priests as abusers since the 1950s. Seventeen have been defrocked and others have been relieved of pastoral duties. While the grand jury also concluded church leaders covered up the abuse, prosecutors said no charges could be filed as the statute of limitations had expired. "We are here to listen to the stories of victims of sexual abuse as children, and to pray for them," said Rigali. But the invited guests also took an opportunity to scold the church and its leaders. "I respectfully suggest that you really don't get it," said the mother of two abuse victims, adding that her now-grown sons are still living with the shame that priests absolutely ruined their lives. The female victim of repeated abuse by priests said that, despite the pain, she strives every day to heal. "I feel trapped, anxious, claustrophobic and suffocated. Yet, I am determined to survive," she said. The archdiocese streamed the session on the Internet so anyone could see it, but all media except an Associated Press pool reporter and those from the Catholic Standard & Times were kept away from the building, limiting their ability to get reaction from those who attended. Off-camera seating was also provided for witnesses who wanted to maintain their privacy.
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