The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia has removed five priests from ministry for life, while two others have received clearance to return to their posts.
Archbishop Charles Chaput called for the removal of certain parish priests following an investigation of child sex abuse allegations, according to CBS.
Not many details have been released to the public concerning the accusations against the five priests, the Associated Press reported on Monday. The group was put on administrative leave following a grand jury's decision in February 2011.
One of the priests included Father Michael Chapman, whose abuse allegation was dropped more than one year ago by the archdiocese's review board. But according to archdiocese spokesperson Ken Gavin, Chapman has been ejected once more - this time, for yet another abuse charge.
"He had never been returned to a parish," Gavin told CBS. "He was placed right back on administrative leave and that's where he remained."
The remaining four priests were informed of their removal on Sunday, after meeting with Chaput over the past week.
None have been officially defrocked.
The four headed up various churches in Philadelphia, Malvern, Sellersville and West Chester, AP reported. Two have sexual abuse allegations against them that the court couldn't confirm.
"They have done something that would not necessarily rise to the level of criminal activity, it does not rise to the level of sexual abuse of a minor," Gavin told CBS of the four remaining priests. "But it is something that indicates they're not suitable for ministry in the priesthood."
The other two priests were never accused of sexual abuse, but were considered as acting against church code. The five are permitted to file an appeal for the rulings, but no word on whether they'll pursue that option just yet.
