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Philadelphia Archdiocese Priests Vent Frustrations With Cardinal Justin Rigali

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Priests who have spoken with Eyewitness News are increasingly frustrated with the way they say the church hierarchy is dealing with the child sex abuse scandal.

Today, priests got an opportunity to vent their frustrations and speak directly with Cardinal Justin Rigali.

Dozens of priests poured into the gym at the Saint Anastasia Catholic School in Newtown Square, Delaware County.

They met for about two hours with Cardinal Rigali and other church leaders.


This comes just one day after four current and former priests along with a lay teacher where in court for the first time in connection to sexual assault and child endangerment charges.

Last week the archdioceses announced 21 priests were suspended in the wake of another scathing Grand Jury report.

A source tells Eyewitness News priests at today's meeting believe church leaders have not done enough to publicly stay out in front of the scandal by showing support for the work of good priests.

Cardinal Rigali did not speak to the media after today's meeting, and his driver left going the wrong way out of the parking lot in the opposite direction of our camera.

Sources tell Eyewitness News this meeting was the second of three planned meetings this week between the Cardinal and priests.

The first meeting we're told overall was characterized as being positive.

Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3

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