Philadelphia Archdiocese | Sex Abuse Suspended Priests Names Read Today

Members of SNAP: The Survivors Network of those Abused by PriestsRedTracker| Responding to scathing criticism of a failure to take action in publications like The Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Archdiocese will begin revealing the identities of the 21 priests suspended following last month’s grand jury report on child molestation in the church.

The Boston Globe says that 37 priests were ‘credibly accused of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior towards minors’ and most are still in active ministry.

The extent of the scandal here, including a coverup that the grand jury said stretched over many years, is so great that Philadelphia is “Boston reborn,’’ said David J. O’Brien, who teaches Catholic history at the University of Dayton in Ohio, referring to the archdiocese where a public spotlight was shined on widespread sexual abuse in 2002. via The Boston Globe

ABC in Philadephia writes that it’s believed that as the names of the 21 priests suspended yesterday are revealed, more victims will come forward.

Explaining why not all 37 priests were removed, District Attorney Seth Williams says that the statute of limitations has run out on several potential cases.

Responding to the grand jury report, the Philadelphia Archdiocese launched an independent investigation led by attorney Gina Maisto Smith, a former city child-abuse prosecutor. She recommended the 21 that were suspended yesterday.

Immediately following the release of the 2-year grand jury investigation, charges were filed against two priests, a former priest, and a Catholic schoolteacher who are accused of raping boys. The men are:

Edward AveryCharles EngelhardtJames BrennanBernard SheroMonsignor William Lynn