Criminal and Civil Charges Generated By Philadelphia Grand Jury Sex Abuse Report

In Philadelphia (PA) last week, a grand jury released a 128-page report (full text) on its investigation of sexual abuse by clergy and employees of the Catholic archdiocese of Philadelphia. According to an accompanying press release: "The report recommended that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia overhaul its procedures for assisting victims and for removing from ministry priests accused of molesting minors. The Grand Jury encouraged victims to report their abuse first to law enforcement." In a Presentment (full text) the grand jury recommended indictments be filed against three priests and a teacher, as well as against an archdiocese official. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a civil suit against the Archdiocese based on this grand jury report and an earlier one released in 2005 (full text) was filed on Monday.