Clockwise from top left, the Rev. John F. Bowe, Rev. Daniel J. Hoy, Rev. Andrew D. McCormick and Rev. Zachary W. Navit are among 21 priests put on administrative leave.
Posted on 03/10/2011 5:57:09 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
Clockwise from top left, the Rev. John F. Bowe, Rev. Daniel J. Hoy, Rev. Andrew D. McCormick and Rev. Zachary W. Navit are among 21 priests put on administrative leave.
How was this list formed? Have these priests simply been accused of abuse, or has proof of their guilt been presented?
What criteria was used to build this list?
“The two-year grand jury investigation into priest abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia...”
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/08/21-pa-priests-named-sex-report-suspended/
At Ash Wednesday mass, an apology for ‘evil acts’
March 09, 2011
By John P. Martin, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
One day after suspending 21 priests, the leader of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday again apologized to victims of abuse and pledged to improve reform efforts.
“Once again we renew our commitment to make every effort possible to prevent these evil acts and protect children from harm,” Cardinal Justin Rigali said.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-09/news/28672837_1_survivors-network-priests-abuse-victims
From the link you provided:
“The grand jury named 37 priests who remained in active ministry despite credible allegations of sexual abuse.”
Is the grand jury’s report available to the public?
As a Catholic, I want the perverts thrown out of the Church and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also want the Church to get serious about keeping homosexuals out, at all levels. Enough of this “It’s okay to be a pervert, just supress your urges.”
As someone who knows how our legal system can be abused, however, I also want to ensure the charges against the priests are legitimate, and not fabrications of those who see an opportunity to destroy, or at the very least bankrupt, the Church.
In your daily prayers for these mens’ souls, when you pray without hate, keep in mind that Jesus forgives you for denying Him each time just as the guilty ones, if you repent of it.
Pray that they get a complete and accurate trial or come fully clean, so that the Truth be known and Justice be attained for true victims.
Who’s sins are worse - those that kill a child via contraceptive that effects as an abortifiacient, or the one that leaves the poor child alive? There is no “worse”, both are horrible.
“Investigation of Sexual Abuse by Clergy II”
“A Philadelphia Grand Jury released a report and a presentment following an investigation into allegations that two priests and a teacher sexually abused a 10-year-old boy at St. Jerome Parish in Philadelphia, and that another priest assigned to St. Jerome sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy.
The presentment recommended criminal charges, including for rape and indecent sexual assault, against the three priests, Edward Avery, Charles Engelhardt, and James Brennan; and the teacher, Bernard Shero.
The Grand Jury also recommended charging Monsignor William J. Lynn, the Secretary for Clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
From 1992 until 2004, Msgr. Lynn was responsible for investigating reports that priests had sexually abused children and for recommending appropriate action to ensure that priests could not reoffend.
The Grand Jury found that Msgr. Lynn endangered children, including the victims in these most recent cases, by knowingly allowing dangerous priests to continue in ministry.
The Grand Jury also issued a report that summarizes its investigation and findings.
The report recommended that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia overhaul its procedures for assisting victims and for removing from ministry priests accused of molesting minors. The Grand Jury encouraged victims to report their abuse first to law enforcement.”
http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/grandJury_clergyAbuse2.html
Ping
I’ve read the report. It names 3-4 priests, and describes details of their individual cases. The vast marjority of the 21 priests listed abover aren’t listed in any of the recent or older reports.
Are these priests suspected of abuse? Did they work with priests suspected of abuse? Did they handle administrative roles in dealing with accusations?
How was the list of 21 priests made?
[At this point, Cardinal Justin Rigali suspended the priests. I’m sure there will be more answers to your questions as the week goes on.]
***
One day after suspending 21 priests, the leader of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday again apologized to victims of abuse and pledged to improve reform efforts.
“Once again we renew our commitment to make every effort possible to prevent these evil acts and protect children from harm,” Cardinal Justin Rigali said.
Nearly 1,000 people packed the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul for Wednesday’s Mass. From his opening prayer, Rigali struck the theme of repentance, and asked Catholics to pray not only for the abuse victims but for “faithful priests who have suffered” because of the scandal.
He also said the abuse should not be tolerated.
“Whoever harms a child must remember the words of Jesus: It would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea,” the cardinal said.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-09/news/28672837_1_survivors-network-priests-abuse-victims
Statements on the archdiocese homepage indicate that 21 priests stand accused of offenses ranging from sexual abuse to “boundary issues with minors.”
I wonder if the boundaries were established by the archdiocese, and what those boundaries are. Explicit sexual discusssions, discussion of healthy sexual relationships?
If they want to categorize any discussion whatever of sex as an offense, there are a few thousand middle and high school public school teachers who need to be brought up on charges.
I am not Catholic. Dear Catholics; we Protestants find no humor or joy in this. We have compassion for you and pray for you. I’d like to think that we are your allies and not your enemies.
As a Catholic, I want the perverts thrown out of the Church and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also want the Church to get serious about keeping homosexuals out, at all levels. Enough of this “It’s okay to be a pervert, just supress your urges.”
As someone who knows how our legal system can be abused, however, I also want to ensure the charges against the priests are legitimate, and not fabrications of those who see an opportunity to destroy, or at the very least bankrupt, the Church.
The Grand Jury report is available and is scathing in its condemnation of the Roman Catholic archdiocese which knowingly protected and even promoted dozens pederast priests in Philadelphia.
Here is the Grand Jury report in full. It is harrowing, but should be required reading for every Roman Catholic who entrusts their children to this church.
Part of the anger of the Grand Jury stems from the fact that in 2005 the Grand Jury also issued the following findings and very little if anything was done to correct these evils. From that report...
"When we say abuse, we don’t just mean “inappropriate touching” (as the Archdiocese often chose to refer to it). We mean rape.
Here is the 2005 report. Just check out one list of priests' crimes on page three...
We should be on the alert for adults in any profession who are molesting children. I recently posted an article about a teacher in a nearby school district who was arrested.
Wow.
I do not pray for these reprobates' souls. I pray for justice to be served against them and the church which harbors them, protects them, defends them, promotes them and prays for them and not the victims.
Thanks for also posting the Grand Jury report from 2005.
lol. Yeah. "Boundaries."
Read the Grand Jury report. And it's many more than 21.
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