US bishops to discuss Philadelphia abuse scandal

CWN - April 20, 2011

When the US bishops meet in June, they will discuss “whether there was some sort of the breakdown of the system” in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, chairman of the bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Cardinal Justin Rigali has placed 26 priests on leave following the release of a February grand jury report that found that dozens of priests credibly accused of the abuse of minors remained in ministry.

Bishop Cupich added that the bishops' conference will impress upon recently ordained bishops the importance of having “close visceral connections with the victims” and “never los[ing] touch of the ongoing need for healing.”

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  • Posted by: Savonarola - Apr. 21, 2011 3:48 PM ET USA

    Why, this just can't be ! Haven't bishops Gregory, Dolan and O'Connell, and perhaps others, told us mere laymen that this scandal is history, has been successfully dealt with, and is over??

  • Posted by: opraem - Apr. 21, 2011 4:02 AM ET USA

    the bishops who have resigned because they abused/molested children are still out and about. i do not expect much of anything to come from the june talkfest.

  • Posted by: jorchard1934 - Apr. 20, 2011 1:58 PM ET USA

    It's not a sure thing that these priests are credibly accused. http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/abuse_allegations_true_false_and_truthy/ Hopefully, the bishops won't merely aim for media approval by wrongfully punishing their priests. Rather, we should pray that they strive to get to the truth of the matter.

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