Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options

A new grand jury report has reopened the raw wound of the sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy and personnel in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and compelled new measures from Cardinal Justin Rigali. Three archdiocesan priests and one lay teacher have been charged with rape, assault and other felonies related to the abuse of children. Msgr. William J. Lynn, 60, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown, was charged on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by mishandling allegations of abuse. He is believed to be the only high-ranking diocesan official indicted under a criminal statute in the United States on charges related to the sexual abuse scandal that came to light in 2002. In response to the grand jury report, Cardinal Rigali ordered the immediate re-examination of the cases of 37 priests said by the grand jury to have credible allegations of child sexual abuse against them, and three archdiocesan priests mentioned in the report have been placed on leave. Among other measures, the archdiocese rehired a former victim advocate for Pennsylvania to advise Cardinal Rigali and created a new position—delegate for investigations.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the French archbishop of Chambéry, Thibault Verny, as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. He succeeds Cardinal Seán O’Malley, 81, the emeritus archbishop of Boston.
Gerard O’ConnellJuly 05, 2025
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks with other members of the House July 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington after final passage of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill. (OSV News photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)
“Deep cuts” to SNAP and Medicaid will “inflict real suffering on these families…. SNAP and Medicaid are not luxuries, they are lifelines for millions of children across our country.”
Kevin ClarkeJuly 03, 2025
It was one of the first times Leo has spoken unscripted at length in public, responding to questions posed to him by the children.
The Vatican has named the judges that will preside over the trial of disgraced Father Marko Rupnik.