Category: Clergy Sex Abuse

Friday’s Announcement: Which Priests Are Out?

~ Susan Matthews ~ 64 Comments

Today, Archbishop Chaput held a meeting of Archdiocesan priests at Cardinal O'Hara High School. Many presume he shared the outcome of at least some of the investigations regarding the priest removals that occurred in the wake of the 2011 Grand Jury Report. I don't think we'll hear much more than speculation until Friday's public announcement (0n … Continue reading Friday’s Announcement: Which Priests Are Out?

Announcement on Priests Removed From Ministry May Come Today

~ Susan Matthews ~ 65 Comments

Click here to read: "Announcement may be at hand on accused priests," by John P. Martin and David O'Reilly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 2, 2012 Excerpt: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput plans to meet Wednesday with hundreds of Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests, stirring hopes that he may announce the fates of nearly two dozen clergy suspended … Continue reading Announcement on Priests Removed From Ministry May Come Today

Where Are Your Borderlines?

~ Susan Matthews ~ 72 Comments

Father Brennan said allowing teen to watch porn and climb in bed with him was "borderline inappropriate." Click here to read: "Priest admitted to letting teen watch porn, sharing bed with him," by John P. Martin and Joseph A. Slobodzian, The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 30, 2012

Pedophile Across From Playground – Send Thank You to Philly Diocese

~ Susan Matthews ~ 127 Comments

Click here to read: "At trial, following a defrocked priest's 25-year trial," by John P. Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 26, 2012 Excerpt: “He lives across the street from the largest playground in Sea Isle City,” Dougherty replied. The exchange underscored a point prosecutors have been trying to make in their endangerment case against Msgr. William … Continue reading Pedophile Across From Playground – Send Thank You to Philly Diocese

Objection Overruled: Lynn Lacks Counsel That Counts

~ Susan Matthews ~ 108 Comments

by Susan Matthews I successfully navigated I-95 rush-hour traffic, paid exorbitant parking prices and made my way into the Criminal Justice Center at 13th and Filbert this morning. I didn’t know what to expect in room 304. Thus far, I’ve somehow managed to escape jury duty and traffic court. I entered the double wooden doors. … Continue reading Objection Overruled: Lynn Lacks Counsel That Counts

Bevilacqua May Have Leveraged Pedophiles for PR

~ Susan Matthews ~ 66 Comments

Click here to read: "What the Cardinal Knew, Or How to Hoover A Pedophile," by Ralph Cipriano, The Philadelphia Priest Abuse Trial Blog, April 23, 2012 Excerpt: "Why would Cardinal Bevilacqua knowingly consort with two known pedophile priests, and indeed allow his Archdiocese PR machine to parade the two abusers out in public with him? … Continue reading Bevilacqua May Have Leveraged Pedophiles for PR

Fourth Week of Trial Begins with Another Victim’s Testimony

~ Susan Matthews ~ 115 Comments

Click here to read: "Witness: Priest plied me with booze, molested me," by Joseph Slobodzian, The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16th, 2012 (updated by John P. Martin) "The Rev. Thomas J. Smith had offered to take him and another boy on a trip to Hershey Park, driving a recreational vehicle borrowed from the second boy's parents. … Continue reading Fourth Week of Trial Begins with Another Victim’s Testimony