Philadelphia Cardinal dies before he can testify at priest sex trials

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua

(Credit: CBS Philly)

(CBS) PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Archdiocese confirms that Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, retired archbishop of Philadelphia, has died, with sex abuse trials looming for members of his clergy.

CBS Philly reports that toward the end of Bevilacqua's tour of duty, a Philadelphia grand jury cited him and his predecessor for allowing dozens of predator priests to continue on the job.

Upon his retirement and the fallout from the grand jury report, Cardinal Bevilacqua went into seclusion at the seminary and was rarely seen in public.

In recent months, however, he was compelled to testify on video in proceedings surrounding his former secretary of the clergy, and other priests accused of abuse. Earlier this week, a judge ruled Bevilacqua was still competent to testify in person at their upcoming trials

Defense lawyers argued that failing memory as a result of dementia an unreliable witness. The Cardinal also suffered from cancer. He died in his sleep Tuesday night in his residence in Lower Merion. He was 88.

Charles Peruto Jr., the former counsel for one of the accused priests and a longtime defense attorney, says Bevilacqua's death changes nothing.

"It has absolutely no legal significance since the judge already ruled that his testimony is admissible at trial, as he was subject to direct and cross examination previously," he said.

More on Crimesider
Feb. 11, 2011 - Philadelphia Priests Charged with Raping Boys, 10 and 14, after Grand Jury Probe

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by SNAPJudy February 1, 2012 4:34 PM EST: This news of Bevilacqua's death can be a very difficult time for
victims (who were once innocent children) but were sexually abused
under his watch. Especially when we see him being praised and
glorified for being such a good holy man.

Keep on thing in mind, you are not alone with your pain and anger,
and there is hope, help, and a chance to heal. Thousands who know
your pain are with you in spirit.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" and all clergy.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the
world's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims.
SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite
the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were molested by
religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis,
bishops, and Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were
assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer
camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org); Reply to this comment


by msay3 February 1, 2012 4:04 PM EST: Hmmmmmm...wonder where he will be spending his post mortem days????
Hopefully where it is searing hot!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by patrick_omalley_cbsnews February 1, 2012 2:34 PM EST: Bevilaqua was a heartless coward. God is just, and God will pass him to Satan for eternity, where he belongs for knowingly hiding and moving priests who raped the youngest, most innocent children. BIH, Bevilaqua.; Reply to this comment