The resignation of Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Hour 1

This morning, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will hold a press conference announcing the resignation of Cardinal Justin Rigali as the Archbishop of Philadelphia.  As required by canon law, the Bishop submitted his resignation to the Pope last year when he turned 75.  This past February, a Philadelphia grand-jury report alleged that as many as 37 priests who had been accused of child sexual abuse remained active in the Church.  Rigali initially denied the accusations but later announced the suspension of 21 priests throughout the Archdiocese.  While the appointment process of a new Bishop is highly confidential, it is expected that Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver will replace Cardinal Rigali.   We’ll talk about the resignation of Cardinal Rigali and his tenure and the appointment of a new Archbishop with MICHAEL SEAN WINTERS of the National Catholic Reporter.  He broke the story of the Bishop’s resignation.  Also joining us is MATHEW SCHMALZ of The College of the Holy Cross and BARBARA BLAINE, president and founder of  SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

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[audio: 071911_100630.mp3]