PHILADELPHIA (PA)
National Catholic Reporter
May. 04, 2012
By Brian Roewe
Five of the 26 Philadelphia priests suspended in the wake of sexual abuse allegations revealed in last year’s grand jury report will be removed from public ministry, Archbishop Charles Chaput announced this afternoon at a press conference.
Three of the 26 will be returned to ministry, while 17 cases are still pending in various stages of the investigation process, it was announced.
Chaput said the fate of the five priests determined “unfit for ministry” is still unknown. Each has the option to appeal the decision to the Vatican. If they decline or fail in their appeal, they could face laicization, life under supervision or a life of prayer and penance.
The type of conduct each was found guilty of — sexual abuse or a violation of boundaries — will likely dictate their fates. Of the five, only one, Fr. John Reardon, was accused of sexually abusing a minor, according to documents released by the archdiocese.
The remaining four – Fr. George Cadwallader, Fr. Msgr. Francis Feret, Fr. Robert Povish, Fr. Thomas Rooney – were found in violation of the archdiocese’s Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, applicable to all clergy, staff and volunteers in the archdiocese.
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