PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Patch
By James Boyle
Former Archbishop Wood principal Rev. Msgr. John Close is one of four priests cleared of sexual abuse and misconduct charges today by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. An internal investigation by the archdiocese ruled the claims unsubstantiated and cleared the priests for public ministry.
Rev. Paul Castellani, Rev. Steven Harris and Rev. Leonard Peterson have also been restored to public ministry. Rev. Msgr. Close served as principal for Archbishop Wood from 1990 to 1994.
Rev. Msgr. Close and 25 other priests were placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following an explosive February 2011 grand jury report that accused Catholic parishes throughout the Delaware Valley of covering up years of sexual abuses against minors.
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