3 Philly priests named in sex report are suspended

    The Philadelphia archdiocese has suspended three priests accused in a scathing grand jury report of being child molesters and has pledged to reopen complaints made against 34 others still on the job.

    The AP reports that Joseph Gallagher, Stephen Perzan and Joseph DiGregorio are being removed from ministry while their cases are reviewed.

    A city grand jury last week charged four current or former priests and a teacher with raping boys in the 1990s or endangering children by covering up the crimes.

    Yesterday, the archdiocese retained the services of a former Philadelphia assistant district attorney to re-examine all cases of accused priests in active ministry.

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    Cardinal Justin Rigali says former child abuse prosecutor Gina Smith will examine the complaints made against the 34 active priests.

    Church investigators previously said they couldn’t substantiate the allegations.

     

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