PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Fox News
The Archbishop of Philadelphia has removed five priests from ministry over allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced the removal of the priests, who were deemed “unsuitable for ministry” in a statement released to parishioners Sunday.
One of them, the Rev. Michael A. Chapman, had been cleared of a prior abuse allegation in May 2012 by an archdiocesan review board. However, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a new accuser had come forward with allegations against Chapman dating back 30 years. The paper reported that the board had substantiated the new allegations against Chapman and placed him back on administrative leave.
“At no time was he ever returned to active ministry,” the statement from the archdiocese read.
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