29 clergy suspended in Pa. abuse probe

PHILADELPHIA, March 31 (UPI) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says it has placed two more clerics on administrative leave, making a total of 29 suspended for behavior involving children.

Spokeswoman Donna Farrell, citing archdiocesan policy, did not identify the two but said both had retired within the last six years and were living in private residences, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday.

Joelle Casteix, a regional director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a victims' advocacy group, denounced Cardinal Justin Rigali for failing to release the priests' names or their alleged wrongdoings.

"We may have never seen such immediate backsliding by a Catholic prelate," Casteix said. "Just a few short weeks ago, Rigali promised to do better with clergy sex cases. Now, he suspends two credibly accused predator priests, but won't name them."

Rigali has suspended 29 clerics in the wake of a Feb. 10 grand jury report on allegedly predatory clergy in the archdiocese.

"If these men are so potentially dangerous that Rigali won't let them act as priests, why will Rigali let parents remain clueless about them?" Casteix asked.

The grand jury said the Philadelphia hierarchy failed to investigate some cases adequately and in other cases had dismissed substantial evidence as too flimsy to take action.