Archbishop Chaput declares 3 priests unsuitable for ministry
April 09, 2013
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Following internal archdiocesan investigations, Archbishop Charles Chaput has declared three Philadelphia priests unsuitable for ministry.
Msgr. Richard Powers, 77, has been permanently removed from ministry because of a “substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor that occurred approximately 40 years ago,” according to an archdiocesan statement. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the incident took place in Venezuela with a 17-year-old girl.
Father Joseph Gallagher and Father Mark Gaspar, both of whom were mentioned in the 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report on clerical abuse, were also permanently removed from ministry. Of the 26 priests placed on administrative leave following the grand jury report, eight have subsequently been declared suitable for ministry, nine have been declared unsuitable, one has died, and seven cases remain unresolved.
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Further information:
- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Announces Additional Resolutions of Cases of Priests on Administrative Leave (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
- Statement Regarding Reverend Monsignor Richard T. Powers (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
- 3 more priests removed for past allegations (Philadelphia Inquirer)
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Posted by: richardols3892 -
Apr. 10, 2013 11:38 AM ET USA
"These unsuitable priests"? That's nine priests of 26. Your comment sounds as though it were all of them. Show a bit of charity, please.
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Posted by: richardols3892 -
Apr. 10, 2013 11:36 AM ET USA
The Powers incident took place 40 years ago? 40 years? Not since? What happened to forgiveness and rehabilitation in the Catholic Church?
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Apr. 09, 2013 11:02 PM ET USA
Do these guys get to run free or will any of them go to jail?
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Apr. 09, 2013 9:29 PM ET USA
Pray for Archbishop Chaput. He needs good priests in his diocese to make up for the sins of these unsuitable priests and to fill in the shortage of priests he is dealing with.
