Cardinal Rigali Tells Parishioners on Ash Wednesday, ‘Protection of Children Is Paramount’

Cardinal Rigali Tells Parishioners, ‘Protection Of Children Is Paramount’

March 9, 2011 3:00 PM

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News, Local, Watch + Listen, Heard On, Crime and Justice, Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia today addressed the grand jury report on priest sex abuse and his response to it during his Ash Wednesday mass in center city.

Cardinal Justin Rigali (above), speaking briefly in a public setting for the first time about the grand jury report (see previous story) and the actions the archdiocese has taken, acknowledged what he called “the grave sins of sexual abuse committed against minors, in particular by members of the clergy.”

Rigali also stressed that the archdiocese is taking steps to ensure that clergy-sex abuse claims will be looked at differently in the future.

“We are likewise re-evaluating the way we handle allegations,” he told the congregants. “The protection of children is paramount.”

The cardinal says the 21 priests he suspended on Tuesday will have their cases — raised by the grand jury as a cause for concern — re-reviewed by a former child sex abuse prosecutor (see related story).

Rigali again expressed his deep sorrow to the victims of priest sex abuse, and expressed regret for the suffering the abuse cases also cause for the many priests who serve faithfully in their ministry.

WEB EXTRA: Watch Cardinal Rigali’s Homily

Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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Cardinal Rigali Tells Parishioners, Protection Of Children Is Paramount

PM

I attended this mass today. It was a beautiful celebration with a tinge of sadness. We as Catholics are aware of the terrible abuse that has taken place and perpetrated by members and priests in our churches. Cardinal Rigali has done an excellent job since he as been Archbishop in this area. Give it time and hopefully all of the victims and their families will find peace, and consolation and return to their faith.
BC

Rigali, Bevilacqua, and even Krol should all be in jail. These creeps knew about the abuse and chose to protect the integrity of the church over the safety and abuse of innocent children. The church wants everyone to forgive and forget. This is not possible. All over the world; Ireland, Poland, England, the list goes on and on. I say shame on the catholic church and the Pope too. The Pope was apprised of these crimes over and over and chose to ignore and protect these criminal priests. This is insidious and will not soon be forgotten.