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Rigali Asks Parishioners To Pray For Both Accused Priests And Victims

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- To celebrate the first Friday of Lent, the Archbishop of Philadelphia held a special service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City. During his homily, the Cardinal asked parishioners to pray for both the priests accused of sexual abuse and their victims.

"We remember once again the grave offense to God and the great harm to innocent victims of the evil of sexual abuse of minors," Cardinal Rigali said.

Margie Murphy, who attended the service, says she believes Cardinal Rigali's gesture shows that the church is moving in the right direction.

"I think that he is most distressed and most humbled and most apologetic for the entire church and for what our priests have done."

Reported by Cherri Gregg Mincey, KYW Newsradio

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