PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP’-yoo) says five priests have been found not suitable for ministry due to substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or boundary violations.
Chaput says three priests will be returned to ministry, and another died during the investigation.
Chaput says 17 other cases have been investigated, but the findings are not being announced Friday.
The cardinal also offered his profound apology to the victims of clergy abuse.
The announcements come as a former church official stands trial in the city on child-endangerment charges for allegedly helping the archdiocese cover up abuse complaints.
A February 2011 grand jury report that spawned that case alleged that dozens of accused priests were still active in Philadelphia, despite a zero-tolerance policy among U.S. bishops. The accusations ranged from sexual abuse to inappropriate boundary issues.
