Philadelphia archdiocese resolves six more priest abuse accusations
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The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced the resolution of six cases involving priests who were placed on leave following a grand jury report on sex abuse allegations, removing two of them from ministry permanently.
“In making these decisions I relied on the counsel of numerous experts,” Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said in a July 6 statement.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that four priests have been found “suitable for ministry” after an investigative process by 20 specialists in child abuse, while two priests were deemed “unsuitable for ministry.”
In the cases of the two priests who were found “unsuitable,” neither of them involved allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, but were the result of them violating the archdiocese’s “Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries.”
The archdiocese’s behavioral standards establish a strict code of conduct by which all adults who interact with minors must abide. The standards include rules such as, “Church personnel are not to step beyond their competence” in counseling situations, adults should avoid “physical contact of any kind,” and leaders should “socialize with other adult chaperones” while on trips with youth groups.
It was not indicated which of the standards the priests who were removed from ministry violated.
Archbishop Chaput praised the work of those involved in the investigations, calling them “crucial” in dealing with “the broad societal problem of sexual abuse.”
“I’m grateful for their tireless efforts,” the archbishop said.
A total of 26 priests were suspended from ministry by Archbishop Chaput’s predecessor, Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, in response to allegations of sex abuse or inappropriate behavior contained in a 2011 grand jury report. [More]
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CNA
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5 Comments
I think it is time for men to have a choice when they become a priest regarding marriage. Celibacy should be a matter of choice, not a mandate. Just my opinion, I am in regardless.
Elizabeth — as a married man, married for many years, I can tell you that a man would be held back from doing all he could do for his flock if he were married. Even Scripture attests to this. We are most blessed that our Church requires celibacy; not to mention the sacrifice involved in celibacy makes the effectiveness of the priest even greater. Celibacy is a very effective prayer, making the priest holier — and Scripture also is clear that the holier the person, the more effective his prayers.
Having come into the Catholic chruch from a protestant church I can perhaps speak to this post by saying that it is most difficult at times for both the pastor’s wife and the pastor’s children to have a man in the ministry- people ,being what they are judge the wife and sometimes critize the clothing she wears, the shop she makes pruchases in, her hair style, how much time she spends in the Church etc. The son or daughter must conform to the standards of dress and hair cuts that are set by people who haven’t been a teenager themselves for 40plus years and do not expect other teens to adhure to the same standards. No the Catholic Church has got it right- and it is not a matter of choice- and we both know the reason why.
It is good to see the high standards and bounderies the church is setting up for interaction between personnel and those to whom they minister.
Archbishop Chaput is a great gift to our Church and the Philadelphia diocese. Folks in CO mourn his loss.