State victims' advocate named to Philadelphia archdiocesan post

Published: 2006-02-08

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Mary Achilles, advocate for Pennsylvania's crime victims for the past 10 years, has been named victims' advocate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Cardinal Justin Rigali. The cardinal said Achilles would "assist the archdiocese in enhancing our existing services and finding new ways to reach out to the victims of clergy sexual abuse." Cardinal Rigali added in a statement, "Throughout her career she has demonstrated a depth of compassion for those who have been harmed. I am confident that the archdiocese will continue to grow in its knowledge of how to do what is best for adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse." In her previous post as the first victim advocate for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Achilles was charged with elevating the voices of crime victims in state government. Before that she worked in victim services for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the Philadelphia district attorney's office.

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