Philadelphia Archbishop Releases Message About Priest Sex Abuse Scandal

Cardinal Rigali Releases Video Message On Sex Abuse Scandal

February 13, 2011 9:00 AM

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Local, News

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The arrests of three Catholic priests and a monsignor have prompted the church’s top local official to address the latest child abuse scandal on the web.

The three and a half minute address from Cardinal Justin Rigali sought prayers for non-offending priests and victims who are now adults, not to mention some faith from the faithful.

To read his message, CLICK HERE.

“As Catholics we are hurt and confused and perhaps quite angry and feeling betrayed. We are keenly aware of Saint Paul’s words that if one part of the body of Christ suffers, all the parts suffer with it. All of us are afflicted at this moment,” he said.

Rigali does not mention actions taken by the archdiocese on Friday, including the establishment of two new positions. One will probe allegations independently and cooperate with police, while the other, a professional psychologist, will assist priests.

A consultant who aided victims in previous years is being retained again.

To view the full message, CLICK HERE.

Watch the video…

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio

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Cardinal Rigali Releases Video Message On Sex Abuse Scandal

shameful

Throw all these booty bandits under the jail.It’s all Mike Vicks fault as usual.
Jody

I thought this was an article on the Catholic Church, not Jews and Muslims
jay

Rabbis At Heart of Sex Abuse Scandal
A man of the clothe uses his position of power to sexually abuse a helpless victim. His church looks the other way, perhaps out of shame or something more nefarious, and the abuse continues on for years. Victims claim they have been hurt but no one listens because, after all, what holy man would ever do that to an innocent? But the twist in this story is that this time it is not the Catholic Church at the center of everything, but rather the Orthodox Jewish Community, reports a New York Criminal Lawyer.

A manhunt has begun for a rabbit and his twenty something year old son. Both are wanted in connection with the sexual abuse of at least four women – all of them, disgustingly enough, family members. The horrible tale is just the tip of the iceberg, according to a New York Criminal Lawyer. In Brooklyn alone there have been at least twenty nine reported investigations into sexual abuse at the hands of Orthodox Jewish Rabbis. Spokespeople believe this is an unchecked epidemic that may be silently sweeping the nation, says a New York Criminal Lawyer. Much like the sex abuse scandal that has plagued the Catholic Church, the repercussions of this story may only just be beginning.

As for why the abuse is never reported, speculations are rampant but the most common is simple: the belief that even if the behavior is wrong the punishment should be handled within the community, notes a New York Criminal Lawyer. Police one’s own people, as the saying might go.

If you find yourself the victim of, the accused of, sexual abuse, contact a New York Criminal Attorney today to ensure you are protected.

The Office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates can offer you support and guidance as well as a free consultation when you contact us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW. We have offices in New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx and in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

ken

WOW! Ma be Jay Bushisky can report on the child raping rabbis who fled to Israel to escape punishment for their crimes ad remain protected in Israel and mullahs in the Middle East and the hocling scaldals tha threaten to take the region to ruin.

For Jay “..has been reporting from Israel for KYW Newsradio for more than 30 years. He regularly tracks the changing developments in the political and economic landscape of the Mideast.”

Helen

I did not know that the Jewish community had these issues. KYW does not report on these issues, and Jay does report alot from the Middle East, so I guess it would be a worthwhile story.

Why does not KYW and CBS rally for the Jewish children who have been raped and abused by rabbis? I challenge CBS and their afflitites to pursue these horibble, abusive individuals and help find justice for their victims.
Marc

I was absued by a rabbis when I was 10. I came across this from Vicki Polin at the Awareness Center. Please support this organization. Jewish children deserve the same protection under US law as others. Thank You

The game playing sickens me so much. Why is it that so many rabbis connected to bet dins (Jewish religious courts), believe that orthodox children do not deserve the same rights and protections as non-orthodox children?

The only way things will change is when the vast number orthodox rabbis care more about child and adult survivors then they do about their own images and assets. I hate to say it, yet as long as communities give away their own personal power various rabbis will continue to play havoc on so many peoples lives.

Brian H. Clay, Sr.

As an man who was born & raised roman catholic in Philadelphia, I can say I’ve lost my faith in this hierarchy of fraud, deception that has become the face of the catholic church. Justin Rigali must now realize the faithful are now & have been for decades leaving their once proud faith behind because of the layers of bureaucratic coverup, the shell game perpetrated by the bishops & cardinals who must also be part of this & any investigation. These culprits, were they law abiding, taxpaying citizens would be held accountable by laws of the land. These criminals ( I don’t feel they deserve to be called priests) must face the law, NOT canon law & be brought to justice. Anything less just perpetuates the already aggravated atmosphere coulding a once proud religion.
Nancy

This never ends. The Catholic Church needs a total revision. The church claims they have changed. Where is the change? They live like kings and then retire to some island somewhere. HOLD your money people. Give that hard earned money to a needy and worthy charity. Enough is enough. The people need to stand up for and stop this horrible abuse toward the children. The blood of all the children’s souls is on your hands if you do not stand up and force the church to institute a new organization. Stop giving the Catholic Church money!
Dennis Mullin

What a fraud, The Catholic Church is the biggest business in the world, all they care about is the bottom line.
sickened

Justin – You need to resign. What sickens me is that these pedofiles and their leaders get fully paid health insurance, meals, laundry service and a place to sleep at night. This is not enough. They then need to sexually abuse children fo r even more comfort and pleasure. Jutsin – You can your collared cronies need to get real jobs.
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J Shaw

Its time for all Catholics to take a stand against our church, make our voices heard, let them know we will no longer stand silent and allow the church to abuse, violate and cover up what their priests and bishops do to our children. These are sick individuals that need to be taken out of our society. The Pope also needs to take a no-tolerance approach to the men he allows to run his churches and rape innocent children. It is time for this to stop. I hope all Catholics will take a stand.

sad ex catholic

Tho only wat to speak up is to hold on to your church envelope money .
Money has become the archdioces ‘s God.
Too much has been covered up for the church to have credability now.The cover ups will continues with Rigali. He feears for the purse strings of his deceptive church..It is a mockery of Christ’s teachings.
GOD will be the ultimate judge.Thier may be some justice on this earth but I fear tthe cover ups will continue.
Sad to say there are too many catholics who hear what they want to.