More than 50 priests tied to abuse, paper says

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania --

A grand jury documented assaults on children by more than 50 Philadelphia-area priests and harshly criticized Catholic Church leaders for shielding abusers, but brought no criminal charges, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

The decision reflected legal and factual hurdles facing prosecutors, including the expiration of the statute of limitations in virtually every case, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The abuses are believed to have occurred over the last half-century. The report, drafted by prosecutors in District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham's office, is expected to be made public next month. People named in the report will have until Aug. 31 to write a rebuttal.

A spokeswoman for Abraham would not comment Tuesday, citing grand jury secrecy. Nor would an attorney for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, C. Clark Hodgson Jr.

Read the article at Buffalo News Dated August 4, 2005

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