Viewing for Cardinal Bevilacqua begins today

Following a private viewing at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Archbishop Charles Chaput will receive the body of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for a public viewing from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

There will be another public viewing on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral Mass for Cardinal Bevilacqua will begin at 2 p.m. followed by the Rite of Committal in the Cathedral Crypt (located below the main altar). The funeral Mass celebrant will be Archbishop Chaput and the homilist will be Monsignor Louis D’Addezio.

Bevilacqua died in his sleep last Tuesday at the age of 88. He served as Philadelphia Archbishop for 15 years, from 1988 to 2003, and became a cardinal on June 28, 1991.

Bevilacqua was praised by many in the Catholic church for his outreach to the poor, while others highlight two scathing grand jury reports that criticized him for moving pedophile priests around to other parishes.

He was scheduled to testify in an upcoming trial of three former priests, but experts say his previously recorded testimony will likely be read into the record.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, otherwise known as SNAP, said they want to “respect the privacy of the family to grieve” and will not protest.