As the Archdiocese of Philadelphia works to finish its review of old allegations against local priests on its self-stated timetable, parishioners around the region are frustrated, not knowing where their priests have gone. And numerous Philadelphia-area priests have meanwhile formed an independent organization, the Association of Philadelphia Priests, to protect their rights before the hierarchy.
“We are taking great care to tend to the needs of both the complainants and their representatives and the priests and their representatives,” said former prosecutor and Ballard Spahr partner Gina Maisto Smith, whom the Archdiocese hired to oversee the review process. Ms. Smith characterized the allegations as ranging from sexual assault to “boundary issues,” such as gift-giving and sex talk. She added, “In 100 percent of these cases, at least 50 percent of the constituencies are going to be very unhappy. These cases don’t lend themselves to storybook endings.”
In the meantime, within some parishes rumors continue to swirl about what has become of their priests, and it sometimes looks like a revolving door at the altar.