A Major Figure in Priest Sex Scandal Dies

A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia confirms that Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua has died at age 88. in a press release late Tuesday night Spokewoman Donna Farrell says

"Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia, died on January 31, 2012 at the age of 88. Cardinal Bevilacqua died tonight at 9:15 p.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he resided,  in his sleep.   Cardinal Bevilacqua served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from February 11, 1988 to October 7, 2003. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals on June 28, 1991.  Funeral arrangements are pending."

Bevilacqua has been a major figure in the Catholic priest sex scandal that has rocked parishes from the Upper Main Line and throughout the five county Greater Philadelphia area.

NBCPhiladelphia reports that just one day before his death Bevilacqua, who suffered with cancer and Alzheimer's, had been ruled competent by a judge to testify in an upcoming trial.

Click here to read a more extensive obituary and summary of Bevilacqua's 15 year tenure as leader of the Archdiocese on Philly.com.