( CNN ) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia barred two more priests from ministry on Friday amid allegations of child sexual abuse , bringing the tally to nine clergymen banned from the embattled church since May . Archbishop Charles Chaput said Rev . John Bowe , 64 , and Rev . David Givey , 68 , did not sexually abuse minors , but violated what the church defines as the `` boundaries of appropriate behavior in all interactions with children and young people . '' `` We 're not commenting on specifics for what could be a variety of reasons , '' said archdiocese spokesman Kenneth A. Gavin , who declined to elaborate . Connecticut priest charged with possession of child porn . Bowe and Givey , who both have served as clergymen for nearly four decades , have the right to an appeal . They could not be immediately reached for comment Friday . The announcement leaves 12 pending cases of the 26 Philadelphia priests suspended following a February 2011 grand jury investigation into the archdiocese 's handling of child sex abuse allegations . The report determined that at least 37 priests had been permitted to keep working `` despite reports that they have engaged in improper behavior with minors . '' In May , five priests were barred from ministry following a church investigation into accusations of child sex abuse . Less than three weeks later and in a separate probe , two others were barred due to allegations of sexual abuse of minors . With nearly 1.5 million members , the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is one of the largest in the nation . Friday 's announcement comes exactly two weeks after Monsignor William Lynn was convicted of child endangerment in the landmark case . The jury was unable to bring a verdict against his co-defendant , the Rev . James Brennan , who was charged with attempted rape of a 14-year-old altar boy and endangering the welfare of a child . Defrocked priest Edward Avery was due to also go on trial with Brennan and Lynn , but pleaded guilty in March to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse after admitting to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old altar boy during the 1998-99 school year at St. Jerome Parish . Alleged victim of clergy abuse acquitted of attacking retired priest .
The Philadelphia Archdiocese bars two more priests from ministry . The archdiocese says the priests did not sexually abuse minors , but crossed boundaries . Murphy 's announcement leaves 12 criminal cases of 26 other priests open .