Cardinal Justin Rigali Archbishop of Philadelphia speaking in May 2010. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Clerical Abuse

21 Philadelphia priests suspended after sexual abuse investigation

Suspension of priests accused of molesting children follows grand jury investigation into allegations of clerical abuse.

TWENTY-ONE PRIESTS HAVE been suspended by the archdiocese of Philadelphia after they were named as child molestation suspects in a grand jury report last month.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said yesterday that the priests have been removed from ministry pending the review of their cases.

The grand jury report followed a two-year investigation into allegations of clerical abuse which has resulted in charges against two priests, one former priest and a Catholic school teacher. All are accused of raping young boys.

A former high-ranking Catholic Church official has been accused of transferring priests to new parishes without warning people of the sexual abuse allegations made against those priests.

- AP

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Susan Ryan

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