Many (over the years) were simply transferred to other parishes. When the Catholic church could no longer keep a lid on the "problem," they finally took action. The removal of said priests wasn't a voluntary action by the church from the git-go, as you make it sound.
It’s best to ignore trolls.
>>>>>Knock it off. Homosexual predator priests have been removed from their parishes by the boat-load over the years—as they should be.
As a Catholic, I have to make a point of fact here.
The priests were not removed voluntarily by Bishops or Cardinals. The priests were arrested and were in custody of the state. In fact, most pedophile priests have not been excommunicated and still draw pensions.
For decades, Cardinals and Bishops knew there was abuse taking place and just shuttled the problem priests among different parishes causing more victims.
Had the problem been taken care earlier by RCC leadership, hundreds of parishes and Catholic schools around the country would not have to close to fund lawsuit payments.