Rigali addresses abuse at Ash Wednesday service

Today marks the beginning of Lent. For some Philadelphia Catholics, the church’s response to allegations of child abuse are the focus as the season of penance and reflection begins.

(Photos by Nathaniel Hamilton for NewsWorks)

Today marks the beginning of Lent. For some Philadelphia Catholics, the church’s response to allegations of child abuse are the focus as the season of penance and reflection begins.

While protesters displayed pictures of abuse victims outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul today, inside, Cardinal Justin Rigali addressed last month’s Grand Jury report – which said as many as 37 priests remained in active ministry with allegations or reports of inappropriate behavior or sexual abuse of minors.  “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,” said Rigali.Rigali has since suspended about two dozen priests.  He also expressed deep sorrow, to the victims of sexual abuse in the community of the church, “And to all others, including many faithful priests, who suffer as a result of this great and evil crime,” he said.Rigali is scheduled to lead a special penance service this Friday. 

 

1. Fr. Phillip Barr (1948) 2. Fr. John Bowe (1973) 3. Fr. George Cadwallader (1992) 4. Fr. Paul Castellani (1996) 5. Fr. Michael Chapman (1982) 6. Msgr. John Close (1969) 7. Msgr. Frances Feret (1962) 8. Fr. Mark Fernandes (2004) 9. Msgr. Michael Flood (1968) 10. Fr. John Foster (1951) 11. Fr. Mark Gaspar (1998) 12. Fr. Joseph Glatts (1966) 13. Fr. Steven Harris (1980) 14. Fr. Daniel Hoy (1948) 15. Msgr. Joseph Logrip (1972) 16. Fr. John McCole (1958) 17. Fr. Andrew McCormick (1982) 18. Fr. Zachary Navit (1994) 19. Fr. Leonard Peterson (1967) 20. Fr. Robert Povish (1990) 21. Fr. John Reardon (1973) 22. Fr. Thomas Rooney (1991) 23. Fr. Peter Talocci (1986)