In November 2005, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia restricted the ministry of Deacon Charles Ginn, after learning of allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors. At that time, Deacon Ginn was serving at Saint Katharine of Siena Parish in Wayne, Delaware County. This past weekend (June 10-11, 2006), parishioners at Saint Katharine's were informed that Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, after a thorough investigation, decided that Deacon Ginn will not be restored to ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The allegations centered on inappropriate conduct with minors at Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, a private Catholic high school in Philadelphia, in the mid-1990's, before Deacon Ginn was accepted as a candidate for formation for the Permanent Diaconate. The Archdiocese had no knowledge of Deacon Ginn's actions prior to November, 2005. When the Archdiocese learned of these allegations in November, Deacon Ginn was immediately removed from ministry, the allegations were forwarded to civil authorities and an internal investigation was initiated.

As part of the internal investigation, Cardinal Rigali sought the consultation of the Archdiocesan Review Board. The Review Board concluded that the allegations did not meet the definition of sexual abuse or exploitation contained in The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Bishops in 2002. Nevertheless, Deacon Ginn's admitted behavior is certainly questionable by common standards and inappropriate for a person in his position. Cardinal Rigali, therefore, decided that Deacon Ginn will not be restored to ministry in the Archdiocese.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747