Pennsylvania Priests Accused of Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse within the Pennsylvania Catholic Diocese has a long and troubling history, characterized by cover-ups that deeply impacted numerous lives. Pennsylvania priests accused of abuse gained national attention, with the 2018 grand jury report revealing widespread child sexual abuse and cover-ups.

Many previously silenced survivors have finally found their voices through these revelations, as highlighted in the grand jury report released. The Pennsylvania report helped those who had previously reported abuse or suspected abuse and were silenced find the courage necessary to come forward again.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we support these survivors and seek justice for those abused at one of the eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses. We advocate for their rights, strive to hold Pennsylvania priests accused of abuse and institutions accountable, and aim to ensure such abuses are prevented in the future by encouraging all to report suspected abuse, including child sexual abuse, as detailed in other reports.

Our team of experienced lawyers will fight beside you against the diocese, including the Diocese of Erie, work alongside law enforcement, and ensure that credibly accused clergy are held accountable.

List of Credibly Accused Priests in Catholic Dioceses in Pennsylvania

Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

William G. Ayres

• Sued

William G. Ayres was removed from assignments at two parishes in November 2010 after allegations that he molested a minor in the late 1990s while affiliated with St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. The matter was referred to the district attorney, and Ayres resided at a home for retired priests during the investigation. In October 2011, a civil lawsuit alleged he abused another youth from 1996 to 1999 while a seminarian at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia.

Edward V. Avery

• Convicted

Edward V. Avery was accused of sexually abusing a sixteen-year-old boy in 1978 and denied the allegation for more than a decade. He was removed from ministry in 1993 after admitting abuse and later appeared in the 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report. Avery was criminally convicted, marking one of the first priest abuse convictions following renewed investigations.

Philip R. Barr

• Accused

Philip R. Barr was among twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, pending investigation of credible allegations of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior involving minors. His removal occurred during a broad archdiocesan review prompted by renewed scrutiny of long-standing abuse complaints.

James J. Behan

• Convicted

James J. Behan was placed on leave in 2002 after a credible allegation of sexual abuse dating back approximately twenty-five years. He admitted to the misconduct in 2005 and was criminally sentenced to twelve years of probation. His case reflected delayed accountability following decades between the abuse and formal adjudication.

Michael C. Bolesta

• Accused

Michael C. Bolesta was accused of sexually abusing at least eleven male teenagers during 1990 and 1991. His name appeared on a confidential 1994 memorandum from William Lynn to Monsignor James Molloy documenting accused clergy. The allegations described repeated abuse of adolescents during parish-related activities.

John F. Bowe

• Accused

John F. Bowe was one of twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, following credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with minors. At the time, he was residing at St. Joseph rectory while under review.

H. Cornell Bradley

• Accused

H. Cornell Bradley was removed from ministry in 2006 after admitting to sexual misconduct with an adult woman in the early 1980s and sexually abusing two fifteen-year-old boys between 1968 and 1988. He left his religious order in 2007, ending his clerical affiliation after decades of misconduct spanning multiple assignments.

Michael J. Bransfield

• Settled

Michael J. Bransfield, appointed Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston in 2005, resigned on September 13, 2018, following an investigation into sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties. He was ordered by the Pope to make amends and barred from residing in the diocese or publicly celebrating liturgy. Claims connected to his misconduct were resolved through settlement.

Robert L. Brennan

• Settled

Robert L. Brennan faced numerous complaints of inappropriate or suspicious behavior involving more than twenty boys dating back to 1988. He was removed from ministry, placed on permanent leave, laicized, and included on a secret archdiocesan list. Brennan was later arrested, charged with lying to the FBI, and sentenced to five years of probation. Related abuse claims were settled.

Leonard W. Broughan

• Accused

Leonard W. Broughan was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and later joined the Carmelite order in 1984. He was accused of sexually abusing two youths, with allegations reported to the archdiocese in 1993 and 1995. He served as a Carmelite in New Jersey and Niagara Falls, Ontario, before his death in 1998.

James J. Brennan

• Convicted

James J. Brennan was accused of sexual abuse years earlier, removed from the priesthood, and named in the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report. He was criminally charged with attempted rape of a fourteen-year-old boy and denied guilt. Brennan was retried alongside Monsignor William Lynn, who was convicted of child endangerment, reflecting institutional accountability failures.

Craig F. Brugger

• Accused

Craig F. Brugger was accused of sexually abusing a fifteen-year-old boy in 1974 and of receiving pornographic material in 1989. The abuse allegedly occurred in Chester County, at the boy’s parents’ beach house in Brigantine, and other New Jersey locations, indicating misconduct across multiple jurisdictions.

James J. Brzyski

• Sued

James J. Brzyski was accused of sexually abusing at least one boy during the 1980s. He was removed from ministry in 1984, left active service in 1985, laicized on March 21, 2005, and later found living in Dallas, Texas. Civil litigation followed allegations of repeated misconduct involving minors.

George B. Cadwallader

• Accused

George B. Cadwallader was one of twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation into credible allegations of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior involving minors. His removal occurred during the archdiocese’s 2011 review of clergy misconduct.

Raymond J. Cahill

• Accused

Raymond J. Cahill’s name appeared on a confidential 1994 memorandum listing priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. The memo was later disclosed publicly and formed part of broader documentation revealing internal archdiocesan awareness of abuse allegations.

Paul A. Castellani

• Accused

Paul A. Castellani was among twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with minors. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Philomena Church in Lansdale.

John A. Cannon

• Sued

John A. Cannon was accused of sexually abusing at least two youths during the late 1950s and 1960s. His ministry was permanently restricted, and he was directed to live a life of prayer and penance. Civil lawsuits were filed in connection with the long-term abuse allegations.

Hugh P. Campbell

• Accused

Monsignor Hugh P. Campbell was placed on leave after self-reporting sexual abuse of a minor. He accepted a supervised life of prayer and penance following the disclosure. The action reflected internal handling of admitted abuse without public criminal proceedings.

Pasquale R. Catullo

• Accused

Pasquale R. Catullo was accused of sexually abusing a female high school student in 1969. He self-reported the incident and requested a transfer, yet the archdiocese continued reassigning him for approximately fifteen years afterward, allowing continued ministry despite the acknowledged misconduct.

Gerard W. Chambers

• Sued

Gerard W. Chambers was sued in 2004 by three brothers alleging sexual abuse in 1954, with another lawsuit that year alleging abuse of an additional youth. At least two other alleged victims were known. Chambers died in 1974 after taking seven “health leaves” during his forty-year priesthood.

Michael A. Chapman

• Accused

Michael A. Chapman was one of twenty-one priests placed on leave following allegations involving minors. After review, he was found unsuitable for ministry and permanently barred from clerical service by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Arthur B. Chappell

• Accused

Arthur B. Chappell sexually abused a teenage seminary student during 1975–1976. His religious order counseled him after the abuse, but no written record of the complaint was created and no further action was taken, allowing him to continue without formal discipline at the time.

James J. Collins

• Accused
  

James J. Collins was placed on administrative leave without priestly faculties after an allegation of sexual abuse dating back forty years. He was later determined to be unsuitable for ministry and permanently removed from clerical service.

Richard J. Cochrane

• Convicted

Richard J. Cochrane assaulted a fourteen-year-old boy during a trip to the Pocono Mountains in 1999. In 2003, he pleaded no contest to a statutory rape charge and was sentenced to eighteen to forty-eight months in jail, resulting in criminal conviction for sexual abuse of a minor.

John A. Close

• Settled

Monsignor John A. Close was placed on leave pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors. In 2012, the Review Board found the misconduct claims unsubstantiated and deemed him suitable for ministry. Claims associated with the investigation were resolved through settlement.

Michael F. Conroy

• Accused

Michael F. Conroy, a deacon, was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford from June 1994 to October 2002. He was removed from ministry due to known sexual misconduct involving a minor. In March 2007, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced his laicization.

James J. Coonan

• Accused

James J. Coonan was accused of sexually abusing two boys aged fourteen and fifteen in 1966 or 1967. He later retired from ministry, with the allegations reflecting misconduct involving minors during his active clerical service.

George A. Costigan

• Accused

George A. Costigan, also known as Daniel Eliseus, was accused in 1993 of sexually abusing a girl aged nine to fifteen while serving as a Christian Brother at West Catholic Boys High School. He was removed from ministry in 1994 following the allegation.

Nicholas V. Cudemo

• Sued

Nicholas V. Cudemo was accused of sexually abusing eleven to sixteen young girls during the 1960s and 1970s. He was placed on leave in 1996, laicized on March 21, 2005, and named in the February 10, 2011 Grand Jury Report. In a 2003 deposition, he minimized clerical accountability.

William E. Dean

• Accused

William E. Dean was found unsuitable for ministry by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor during the 1970s. In October 2020, he was transferred to a residence for priests participating in a supervised prayer and penance program.

John J. Delli Carpini

• Accused

John J. Delli Carpini was accused of sexually abusing two youths over several years, both before entering seminary and after ordination. He was placed on leave in 1998, returned to duty, then placed on leave again in 2004. His laicization was announced in 2005.

Edward M. DePaoli

• Convicted

Edward M. DePaoli, a member of a religious order, was convicted in 1986 for possession of child pornography. He was placed on leave in 2002 and later accused of sexually abusing a fourteen-year-old girl in 1970. His case involved both criminal conviction and abuse allegations involving a minor.

Joseph L. DiGregorio

• Accused

Joseph L. DiGregorio was accused by a woman who reported that he sexually abused her in 1967 or 1968 at Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Philadelphia when she was sixteen. The Review Board initially found the allegation credible but reversed its determination in 2006.

Michael J. Donofrio

• Sued

Michael J. Donofrio was sued in 2003 for sexually abusing a twelve-year-old boy. He was laicized in 2007 following the civil action, which alleged misconduct with a minor during his priestly service.

Richard D. Dolan

• Accused

In September 2006, a woman addressed Archbishop Rigali and clergy stating that Richard D. Dolan raped her repeatedly for approximately eighteen months, beginning when she was fourteen. Dolan left active ministry in 1981 and was laicized on May 31, 2000. His name appeared on a confidential 1994 memorandum documenting priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors held in secret archives, though he was not included in the 2005 Grand Jury Report.

John C. Dougherty

• Accused

John C. Dougherty was listed on a confidential 1994 internal memorandum identifying priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors whose records were maintained in secret archdiocesan archives. The memo noted allegations involving Dougherty but stated that church officials did not reach a conclusive determination at the time. He remained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until his death on October 5, 2003, prior to public disclosure of the memorandum and related abuse documentation.

Philip J. Dowling

• Accused

Philip J. Dowling admitted in 2005 to inappropriately touching a girl and was immediately placed on leave from ministry. The admission followed an allegation involving sexual misconduct with a minor. Dowling remained removed from active ministry for the remainder of his life and died in January 2022 while still under clerical restrictions.

William J. Dougherty

• Accused

William J. Dougherty was accused on April 3, 2002 of sexually abusing a female high school student. He had been placed on administrative leave on September 1, 1999. On April 15, 2004, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia accepted the review board’s assessment that the allegation was credible. His ministry was restricted on June 14, 2004, with further restrictions imposed on September 10, 2004, while the Vatican reviewed laicization. Dougherty was laicized in July 2006. He had been assigned to a high school from 1970 to 1994 and served as a U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplain from 1976 to 1978.

Ernest A. Durante

• Sued

Ernest A. Durante, a guidance counselor, was named in a Philadelphia Grand Jury Report for witnessing and failing to intervene while Father John Schmeer sexually abused teenage boys. Civil litigation followed based on allegations that Durante knowingly observed abuse and did not report or stop the misconduct involving minors.

Peter J. Dunne

• Accused

Peter J. Dunne was accused of sexually abusing three teenage boys and an additional boy of unspecified age. He was placed on permanently restricted ministry without faculties and barred from pastoral duties. Dunne remained under restriction until his death on April 17, 2010.

Thomas J. Durkin

• Accused

Thomas J. Durkin was accused of sexually abusing eight mostly pre-teen boys between 1964 and 1966. He left active ministry in 1968. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia later announced his laicization in 2005, formally severing his clerical status decades after the abuse.

James M. Dux

• Accused

James M. Dux was accused of sexually abusing numerous children, primarily boys, over an extended period. He retired in 1994, had his ministry restricted in 1995, and was permanently restricted from priestly duties in 2004 following sustained concerns regarding abuse of minors.

Charles F. Engelhardt

• Convicted

Charles F. Engelhardt was accused of orally sodomizing and molesting a ten-year-old boy in 1998 or 1999 at St. Jerome Parish in Philadelphia, alongside another priest and a teacher. He rejected a plea agreement, was found guilty at trial, sought a new trial, and died in prison while serving his sentence.

Francis S. Feret

• Sued

Francis S. Feret was one of twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation into credible allegations of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior involving minors. At least one civil lawsuit was filed against him alleging sexual abuse.

Mark E. Fernandes

• Accused

Mark E. Fernandes was among twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave on March 7, 2011, pending investigation into credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with minors. His last known assignment was at St. Agnes Church in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.

J. Michael Flood

• Indicted

J. Michael Flood was accused of sexually abusing a youth at St. John Neumann High School in the late 1970s and was criminally indicted. The civil suit was later withdrawn due to inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s deposition testimony, ending the legal proceedings without trial.

Peter J. Foley

• Sued

Peter J. Foley was accused of sexually abusing a sixteen-year-old boy in 1981. Foley admitted to providing alcohol to the minor but denied sexual abuse. A civil lawsuit was filed alleging sexual misconduct during the encounter involving the underage victim.

Leonard A. Furmanski

• Accused

Leonard A. Furmanski was removed from ministry in 2003 after allegations of sexual abuse involving three minor males and one minor female. His ministry was permanently restricted in 2004, and he was ordered to live a supervised life. Furmanski died on October 27, 2009.

Robert W. Gaghan

• Accused

Robert W. Gaghan was accused by a man who reported that Gaghan, his uncle, fondled him and performed oral sex on him when he was a youth. Gaghan taught at the former St. John Neumann High School in Philadelphia during the period of the alleged abuse.

Joseph J. Gallagher

• Sued

Joseph J. Gallagher was accused by a man who reported that Gallagher fondled him when he was seven or eight years old. In 2008, the archdiocesan review board deemed the allegations unsubstantiated. Gallagher was nevertheless removed from ministry in 2011 following broader abuse reviews.

Joseph P. Gallagher

• Sued

Joseph P. Gallagher was accused of sexually abusing a twelve-year-old boy in the early to mid-1970s. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was notified in 1974, after which Gallagher was sent for treatment and reassigned. He was placed on leave in 2002, permanently restricted in 2004, and lived a supervised life. A civil lawsuit was filed in December 2003.

Stanley M. Gana

• Accused

Stanley M. Gana was accused of sexually abusing minors during the 1970s and 1980s. He was dismissed from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2002, lived with older teens and young men, and was laicized in 2006. Gana was named in the February 2011 Grand Jury Report.

Francis J. Gallagher

• Arrested

Francis J. Gallagher was arrested in 1989 for soliciting two young men aged eighteen and twenty. He was placed in treatment in 1990 and reassigned to a parish in 1991 following the arrest, which involved sexual misconduct with young adults.

Armand D. Garcia

• Guilty plea

Armand D. Garcia was suspended from ministry on March 16, 2018, after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. In October 2023, he pleaded guilty to corruption of a minor and unlawful contact with a minor. Sentencing was scheduled for January 2024.

Mark S. Gaspar

• Accused

Mark S. Gaspar was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation into credible allegations of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior involving minors. His removal occurred during broader clergy misconduct reviews.

Joseph P. Gausch

• Sued

Joseph P. Gausch faced at least three civil lawsuits filed in 2004 and an additional lawsuit in 2006. He was accused of sexually abusing numerous boys over an extended period, with allegations spanning multiple incidents of misconduct involving minors.

John E. Gillespie

• Sued

John E. Gillespie was accused of sexually abusing five youths between 1958 and 1997. He was placed on leave in 2002, subjected to further restrictions in 2004, and permanently restricted from ministry. Gillespie died in 2008 and was later named in the Grand Jury Report.

Francis A. Giliberti

• Accused

Francis A. Giliberti was accused of sexually abusing at least four teenage boys between the 1960s and 1976. His ministry was permanently restricted, and he was ordered to live a supervised life following substantiated concerns regarding abuse of minors.

Joseph M. Glatts

• Accused

Joseph M. Glatts was among twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, pending investigation into credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with minors. His last role was pastor emeritus of St. Andrew Church.

Charles Ginn Jr.

• Accused

Charles Ginn Jr. was accused of sexual misconduct with two young boys at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in 1996. He was placed on leave following the allegations and remained removed from ministry until November 2005.

David W. Givey

• Accused

David W. Givey, former editor of the Catholic Standard and Times, retired in 2006 and was later placed on leave following a Grand Jury Report. He denied allegations of sexual abuse that emerged during the investigation into clergy misconduct.

Thomas J. Grumm

• Accused

Thomas J. Grumm was accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a high school boy between 1986 and 1988. He was placed on leave, sent for treatment, and permanently restricted from ministry in 2004, agreeing to live a supervised life.

David I. Hagan

• Sued

David I. Hagan was named in civil litigation involving Bishop Ireton High School, Sacred Heart College, and Philadelphia Inner City House under a RICO class action. The case was dismissed in November 2006, and the dismissal was upheld by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Hagan died on May 1, 2005.

Steven Harris

• Accused

Steven Harris was one of twenty-one priests placed on administrative leave pending investigation into credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors. He was later found suitable for ministry and assigned to work within the Tribunal and Chancery.

Mark J. Haynes

• Convicted

Mark J. Haynes was arrested in October 2014 for posting sexually explicit images of a girl under fourteen on Instagram. Investigators found additional child pornography and sexually explicit communications with the minor. He was convicted on charges related to child sexual exploitation.

James T. Henry

• Accused

James T. Henry was accused in 1987 of sexual misconduct involving a fifteen-year-old girl. His ministry was permanently restricted in 2004 following review of the allegation, barring him from active pastoral duties.

Robert J. Hermley

• Convicted

Robert J. Hermley was accused of sexually abusing boys in Philadelphia between 1976 and 1980. He was convicted of indecent assault involving boys aged thirteen and fourteen, retired in 2003, and was later named in the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report.

Gerard J. Hoffman

• Accused

Gerard J. Hoffman was placed on leave in July 2008 after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. He agreed to live a supervised life of prayer and penance at a priest retirement residence following the disclosure.

Regis Howitz

• Accused

Regis Howitz was accused, along with Reverend Charles Newman, of sexually abusing a teenage boy during the mid-1990s. Both men were ordered to live lives of prayer and penance after the allegations were reviewed.

Daniel J. Hoy

• Accused

Daniel J. Hoy was placed on administrative leave pending investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. He died before the investigation was completed, leaving the allegation unresolved at the time of his death.

John F. Hummell

• Accused

John F. Hummell was accused in October 2005 of sexually abusing a minor during the mid-1970s. He was placed on leave without faculties in June 2006 after a diocesan investigation identified patterns of behavior consistent with sexual abuse. The case was referred to the Vatican for further action.

James M. Iannarella

• Accused

James M. Iannarella was removed from active ministry in 1999 after allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a seventeen-year-old girl. The removal followed internal review by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He did not return to parish ministry after the allegation and remained outside active clerical service thereafter.

Stanley Janowski

• Settled

Stanley Janowski taught at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia and was removed from public ministry in 1993. He was twice accused of sexually abusing minors. Investigations conducted by his religious order were deemed inconclusive. Claims associated with Janowski were later resolved through settlement rather than criminal proceedings.

William T. Joseph

• Accused

William T. Joseph was accused of sexually abusing a fifth-grade boy in the late 1970s. The diocese was notified of the allegation in 1998. Joseph was permitted to retire. In 2004, his ministry was permanently restricted, and he accepted a supervised life following the determination regarding the abuse.

Richard G. Jones

• Sued

Richard G. Jones was accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys. His name appeared on a confidential 1994 memorandum listing priests maintained in secret archives who were accused of sexual misconduct with minors. Civil litigation followed allegations involving abuse during his clerical service.

William N. Killian

• Sued

William N. Killian was accused by a woman who reported that he sexually abused her as a child during the 1950s at St. Richard’s Parish in South Philadelphia. Despite the allegation, Killian remained in his clerical position for years. He was later named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2006.

John Kline

• Sued

John Kline was named in a civil lawsuit filed by attorneys for a man who alleged that Kline sexually abused both him and his brother. The allegations involved abuse of minors during Kline’s clerical service and resulted in civil litigation against him.

Thomas M. Kohler

• Arrested

Thomas M. Kohler was accused of sexually abusing a male in the mid-1970s and of taking nude photographs of a fifteen-year-old boy in 1994. He was arrested, removed from ministry, and later laicized, with laicization announced in 2005 following the allegations.

Louis J. Kolenkiewicz

• Accused

Louis J. Kolenkiewicz was suspended in February 2015 after a district attorney discovered that pornography he downloaded in 2005 included images of minors. He was removed from ministry for three years. The archdiocesan review board later cleared him, and he was permitted to return to ministry on June 19, 2017.

Matthew J. Kornacki

• Convicted

Matthew J. Kornacki was accused of possessing child pornography between 2001 and 2003. He was placed on leave in 2003 and sent for treatment. Kornacki was indicted, pleaded guilty in 2004, and was sentenced to thirty months in federal prison. His ministry was permanently restricted, and he was required to register as a sex offender in Pennsylvania.

Edward P. Kuczynski

• Sued

Edward P. Kuczynski was named in a civil lawsuit filed in April 2006 alleging sexual abuse of a boy between 2002 and 2005. Police were notified in 2005 and informed the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that the complaint was unfounded. Civil litigation nevertheless proceeded.

David T. Lawlor

• Not Guilty

David T. Lawlor, assigned to Daylesford Abbey, was arrested in 2002 and charged with inappropriately touching a mentally disabled adult male in a YMCA whirlpool. He denied the allegations, was placed on leave, and was found not guilty by a jury in October 2003.

Dexter A. Lanctot

• Accused

Dexter A. Lanctot was listed on a 1994 confidential memorandum identifying priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors but noted as lacking conclusive evidence. He served as chaplain at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, left the priesthood in 1995, and later worked as a chaplain at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia beginning in 2007.

Raymond O. Leneweaver

• Accused

Raymond O. Leneweaver was accused of sexually abusing at least twelve youths. He was laicized in 2005. His name appeared on the confidential 1994 memorandum listing priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors maintained in secret archdiocesan archives.

John R. Liggio

• Sued

John R. Liggio was investigated by the district attorney’s office for allegedly sexually abusing a student during 1997 and 1998. The district attorney declined to file criminal charges due to insufficient evidence. Civil litigation nevertheless alleged abuse during his ministry.

Joseph L. Logrip

• Accused

Joseph L. Logrip was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation of allegations of sexual abuse of minors. In December 2019, he was found unsuitable for ministry and permanently barred from clerical service.

Christopher D. Lucas

• Accused

Christopher D. Lucas was ordained for the Conventual Franciscans but was accused of sexually abusing a minor prior to ordination. Following the allegation, he was deemed unsuitable for ministry and removed from clerical service before assignment to active parish work.

Joseph E. Macanga

• Convicted

Joseph E. Macanga left active priesthood in 1995 with no known allegations on record. He was later arrested by the FBI in Lumberton, New Jersey, in April 2008 and sentenced to fifty-seven months in federal prison for criminal offenses unrelated to parish ministry.

Steven J. Marinucci

• Accused

Steven J. Marinucci was placed on leave in February 2019 after an allegation of sexual abuse was reported. Both police and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia initiated investigations into the allegation involving misconduct with a minor.

Nilo C. Martins

• Convicted

Nilo C. Martins, a Brazilian pediatrician and member of a religious order, was convicted in 1985 of sexually abusing a twelve-year-old boy. He was sent for treatment prior to conviction, served approximately five weeks of a twenty-three to forty-six month sentence, and was deported to Brazil, where he remained an active priest for many years.

George J. Mazzotta

• Accused

George J. Mazzotta had his priestly privileges removed in May 2010 after allegations that he sexually abused a minor more than forty years earlier. He was transferred to Villa St. Joseph in Darby, Pennsylvania, following the disclosure and removal from ministry.

Joseph F. McCafferty

• Accused

Joseph F. McCafferty was accused of sexual misconduct with minors in 1994 while serving as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Manor. His name was associated with allegations documented during internal archdiocesan reviews of clergy misconduct.

Michael J. McCarthy

• Accused

Michael J. McCarthy, a teacher at Cardinal O’Hara High School, was accused of sexually abusing two male high school students. Despite the allegations, he received a promotion before being placed on leave in 1993 with restrictions. He was sent for treatment and later laicized in 2006.

John F. McCole

• Sued

John F. McCole was named in a civil lawsuit filed in North Carolina alleging that he sexually abused a boy on multiple occasions during the 1970s. The suit alleged forced participation in group oral sex while a third individual observed the abuse.

Charles P. McColgan

• Settled

Charles P. McColgan, a priest of the Diocese of Camden, was accused of fondling a boy in a Philadelphia bathhouse during the 1970s. All claims were dismissed as barred by the statute of limitations, and related matters were resolved through settlement.

Andrew D. McCormick

• Indicted

Andrew D. McCormick was one of twenty-one priests removed from ministry pending investigation of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior involving minors. He was arrested on July 26, 2012, and charged with sexually assaulting a boy in 1997 at St. John Cantius Parish.

James McDonnell

• Settled

James McDonnell died in 1995 after serving as a parish priest from 1943 to 1953 and again from 1975 to 1995, and as a Navy chaplain from 1953 to 1975. A lawsuit settled in April 2020 alleged that he sexually abused a boy aged thirteen to fourteen during 1978 and 1979 while assigned to Maternity B.V.M.

James J. McGinnis III

• Accused

James J. McGinnis III was named on a confidential 1994 memorandum listing priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors whose cases were maintained in secret archives. The memo noted allegations but indicated that church officials had reached no conclusive finding.

Joseph M. McKenzie

• Accused

Joseph M. McKenzie was accused of sexually abusing two boys and two other males between 1966 and 1981. He remained a priest until his death in 1989, prior to public disclosure of the allegations.

James E. McGuire

• Accused

James E. McGuire was accused of sexually abusing three boys and one additional individual. He was placed on leave in 2002 with restrictions, laicized on March 24, 2006, and listed on the confidential 1994 memorandum documenting accused clergy.

Richard J. McLoughlin

• Accused

Richard J. McLoughlin was accused of sexually abusing a boy and a fifteen-year-old girl. He was placed on leave in 1994 and again in 2002. In 2004, he was sentenced to live a supervised life of prayer and penance.

John F. Meyers

• Accused

John F. Meyers was placed on leave in late 2018 after an allegation of sexual abuse was reported. A survivor of abuse notified a charter school in Arizona, prompting disclosure and subsequent action by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Donald J. Mills

• Accused

Donald J. Mills was accused of sexually assaulting a minor in 1982. He was later placed on health leave in 1999 and died in 2006 without returning to active ministry following the allegation.

Joseph R. Monahan

• Accused

Joseph R. Monahan was accused of sexually abusing an eighth-grade boy in 1969. He was sent to St. Louis for treatment related to alcohol abuse and later incardinated into another diocese in 1980.

John J. Murray

• Accused

John J. Murray was accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls in 1991. He was placed on leave with restricted faculties in 1992 and formally retired in 1993. Additional restrictions were imposed in 2004. Murray’s name appeared on a confidential 1994 memorandum documenting priests maintained in secret archives who were guilty of or accused of sexual misconduct with minors. He died in March 2006.

John H. Mulholland

• Sued

John H. Mulholland was accused of sexually abusing six or more youths during the 1960s and 1970s. He continued working until approximately 2002, when the Archdiocese determined the charges were not credible but required him to receive mental health treatment. Civil lawsuits alleged sustained abuse during his ministry.

Michael G. Murtha

• Accused

In 1995, Michael G. Murtha was found to be in possession of sadomasochistic and violent child pornography. He was sent to St. John Vianney Center for evaluation and treatment but was permitted to remain an active priest afterward. No public record indicates criminal charges related to the materials, and no removal from ministry followed the discovery.

Zachary Navit

• Accused

Zachary Navit was among 21 priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors. His removal occurred as part of a broader archdiocesan action following public scrutiny of clergy abuse handling.

Henry Nawn

• Sued

Henry Nawn was accused of sexually abusing five boys during the 1960s. He retired from active ministry in 1991. Civil litigation later named him in connection with the allegations, though no criminal conviction is recorded in publicly available summaries.

Charles Newman

• Sued

Charles Newman was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy, providing the victim approximately $42,000. He resigned from Bishop Ryan High School amid allegations of abuse and financial mismanagement. Newman was later convicted and sentenced to three to six years in prison. The accuser died of a drug overdose in 2006.

Martin O’Hara

• Settled

Martin O’Hara was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy between the ages of 9 and 11 while assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The claim was resolved through a settlement. No criminal conviction is recorded.

John P. Paul

• Settled

John P. Paul was accused of sexually abusing a female beginning in the early 1980s, starting when she was a high school student in Pennsylvania and continuing into her college years. He was also accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy in 1967 while a seminarian. The claims were resolved through settlement.

Justin Paul Pechulis

• Sued

Justin Paul Pechulis was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in the late 1970s. A civil lawsuit was filed but dismissed in 2010. Archdiocesan leadership publicly rejected the allegations. No criminal charges resulted.

Stephen B. Perzan

• Accused

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia received two allegations against Stephen B. Perzan, one in 2004 concerning abuse in 1991 and another in 2005 alleging abuse in 1994–1995. Perzan held multiple short parish assignments, including a two-year assignment in Puerto Rico in 2003. The archdiocesan review board deemed the allegations unsubstantiated.

Leonard Peterson

• Accused

Leonard Peterson was among the 21 priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on March 7, 2011, pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors. Further public outcomes were not detailed in summary disclosures.

Terrance Pinkowski

• Sued

Terrance Pinkowski was accused in a 1992 civil lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy between 1976 and 1981, beginning when the victim was a 14-year-old student at Archbishop Ryan High School. The lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

Theodore Podson

• Accused

Following allegations of sexual abuse, Theodore Podson left Devon Preparatory School in Philadelphia and later appeared in the Diocese of Amarillo by 1995. He resigned from ministry in 2002. By 2003, reports placed him living in the Philippines in the company of teenagers.

Anthony W. Polini

• Accused

Anthony W. Polini was named publicly as credibly accused by St. Norbert Abbey in Wisconsin on its July 19, 2019 list, which noted a single allegation of abuse. Polini died on September 23, 1977.

Robert Povish

• Accused

Robert Povish was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors. No further public disciplinary or criminal outcome is specified in summary records.

Richard T. Powers

• Accused

Richard T. Powers was included on a confidential 1994 list identifying 35 priests suspected or accused of sexual abuse of minors. He was permanently removed from active ministry in April 2013.

John D. Reardon

• Accused

John D. Reardon was placed on administrative leave on March 7, 2011, as part of the archdiocese’s removal of 21 priests amid abuse investigations. On May 4, 2012, the archdiocese determined the allegations against him were substantiated and declared him unsuitable for ministry.

Francis P. Rogers

• Accused

Francis P. Rogers was accused of sexually abusing numerous young boys beginning shortly after his ordination and continuing for decades. He retired in 1995. A complaint was made to the archdiocese in 1998, after which he was moved to a retirement residence. Rogers died in 2005.

Thomas Rooney

• Accused

Thomas Rooney was among the 21 priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation into inappropriate behavior with minors. He was later deemed unsuitable for ministry and did not return to active service.

Robert F. Ryan

• Settled

Robert F. Ryan was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old altar boy in 1962–1963 while assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Springfield, Pennsylvania. The allegation was resolved through a settlement.

William L. Santry

• Accused

In 2005, a woman reported that William L. Santry had sexually abused her in the late 1960s. Santry admitted to the abuse. He was laicized by the Vatican in 2006.

Joseph F. Sabadish

• Sued

Joseph F. Sabadish was accused of sexually abusing a young brother and sister. He was never criminally charged but was named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2006.

Charles J. Schaeflein

• Accused

Monsignor Charles J. Schaeflein was accused of sexually abusing a minor prior to 1990. He agreed to live a supervised life of prayer and penance. Schaeflein died on August 10, 2013.

Martin J. Satchell

• Sued

Martin J. Satchell was accused in 1993 of credible misconduct involving a minor. He was placed on administrative leave through 2003 and was laicized at his own request in 2004.

John P. Schmeer

• Sued

John P. Schmeer faced multiple allegations, including sexual abuse of three boys in 1966–1967 and again in 1986. His ministry was permanently restricted, and he was required to live a supervised life of prayer and penance.

Thomas F. Shea

• Accused

Thomas F. Shea was accused of sexually abusing six boys during the 1970s. He admitted molesting two altar boys, was placed on leave in 1994, and retired in 1995 with permanent restrictions on ministry.

David C. Sicoli

• Accused

David C. Sicoli was accused of sexually abusing at least 12 boys in their mid-teens. He was laicized in 2008 and later named in a new Philadelphia Grand Jury report.

Charles J. Siegele

• Settled

Charles J. Siegele was accused of sexually abusing six to seven boys during the 1950s and 1960s. He was named in civil lawsuits filed in 2004 and 2006. Both actions were ultimately dismissed, including on appeal in November 2007.

Raymond W. Smart

• Accused

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Raymond W. Smart was deemed not suitable for ministry following an internal investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a minor during the 1980s.

Edward J. Smith

• Settled

Edward J. Smith was accused of sexually abusing students at a Philadelphia high school in the early 1980s. He was named in a 2005 Delaware civil lawsuit that resulted in a jury verdict awarding $41 million.

Thomas J. Smith

• Accused

Thomas J. Smith was accused of sexually abusing at least three boys between the ages of 12 and 13 during the 1970s and 1980s. One man testified that Smith assaulted him during an incident involving strip poker.

DePaul Sobotka

• Accused

DePaul Sobotka taught for many years at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia. His name appeared on Msgr. William Lynn’s 1994 internal list of extern and order priests accused of abuse of children, though no public child-abuse allegations were disclosed at that time. Church authorities later acknowledged an allegation of misconduct involving an adult but not a minor. Sobotka retired without public ministry, died on January 2, 2020, in Burlington, Wisconsin, and was listed in January 2024 by the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province Franciscans as credibly accused.

Louis M. Steingraber

• Accused

Louis M. Steingraber was accused of sexually abusing two eighth-grade boys in October 1982 while serving as assistant pastor at St. Robert Parish in Chester. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was notified on February 22, 1983, terminated his current assignment, and placed him on health leave at St. John Vianney Hospital. On May 23, 1983, he was reassigned as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Philadelphia. A separate allegation involved sexual abuse of a 16-year-old male, reported on September 19, 2003, relating to his earlier assignment at St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia between 1977 and 1982. Steingraber left active ministry effective March 23, 1984. 

Peter Talocci

• Accused

Peter Talocci was among the 21 priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pending investigation of credible allegations involving sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior with minors.

Michael W. Swierzy

• Convicted

Michael W. Swierzy was a former high school principal accused of sexually abusing a boy who was a fifth-grade student and altar server. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was notified on April 9, 1997, and Swierzy was placed on leave from 1997 to 2003. He pleaded guilty in 1998 and received five years probation. Additional accusations were received, and a civil suit was filed before March 2002. In 2004, the archdiocese found the allegations credible and referred the case to the Vatican. He was laicized in early 2005 and died on July 25, 2005.

Arthur I. Taraborelli

• Settled

Arthur I. Taraborelli repeatedly sexually abused an altar boy between the ages of 13 and 14 during 1975–1976. The claim was resolved through settlement. Taraborelli died on September 28, 2006.

Carmen F. Taraborelli

• Accused

Carmen F. Taraborelli was accused of sexually abusing a fifth-grade boy during the 1980s. The allegation was reported to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1999, at which time Taraborelli was placed on administrative leave. By 2004, the archdiocese permanently restricted his ministry and required him to live under supervision, barring any public pastoral assignments or contact with minors.

Joseph W. Thomas

• Accused

Joseph W. Thomas was included on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s public list of accused clergy. He was placed on leave from ministry on three separate occasions between 1963 and 1972. Archdiocesan records reflect repeated removals from active assignments during that period, indicating longstanding concerns related to his conduct while serving in parish ministry.

Francis X. Trauger

• Convicted

Francis X. Trauger was accused of sexually abusing two or three boys in the early 1980s and another minor in 1991. He was named in at least two civil lawsuits related to these allegations. Court proceedings resulted in criminal convictions connected to the abuse, and his case became part of broader civil litigation involving clergy abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Aloysius H. Vath

• Accused

Aloysius H. Vath was identified in internal archdiocesan records as a priest involved in sexual misconduct with minors. His name appeared among clergy maintained in secret archives documenting abuse-related allegations. Church records reflect his inclusion among priests accused of misconduct involving minors.

David E. Walls

• Accused

David E. Walls was accused of sexually abusing an adolescent brother and sister and another individual between 1987 and 1988. He was placed on administrative leave in 1988, with continued restrictions imposed in 2002 and expanded in 2004. Walls was laicized on July 19, 2006, and died on February 21, 2009.

Sylwester Wiejata

• Accused

Sylwester Wiejata was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 2000. The allegation was known to senior archdiocesan officials but was not reported to law enforcement at the time. Wiejata’s case later became part of broader disclosures concerning the handling of abuse allegations within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Thomas J. Wisniewski

• Accused

Thomas J. Wisniewski was accused of sexually abusing a boy and was placed on leave from ministry in 2002. In 2004, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia increased restrictions on his activities, permanently barring him from ministry. He was required to live a supervised life under church oversight following the determination of his status.

Diocese of Allentown PA

James J. Agosta

• Sued

James J. Agosta was accused of sexually abusing a young altar boy decades before the allegation surfaced. Agosta died in 1995. His personnel file and related records were later provided to a Pennsylvania state grand jury in 2016 as part of a broader investigation into clergy sexual abuse within the Diocese of Allentown.

John S. Baruch

• Accused

John S. Baruch, a monsignor, served at parishes including St. John Cantius in Bridesburg, St. Casimir’s in Mahanoy City, and St. Stanislaus in Minersville. He retired in 1984 and died on March 12, 1995. He was later identified as accused of sexual misconduct involving minors in diocesan disclosures.

Thomas J. Bender

• Convicted

Thomas J. Bender was found in a vehicle with a teenage boy under suspicious circumstances and was accused of repeatedly raping the boy. He was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor, sentenced to ten years in prison, and placed on lifetime probation following his release, marking one of the most severe criminal cases in the diocese.

Thomas J. Benestad

• Accused

Monsignor Thomas J. Benestad was accused of sexually abusing a boy beginning at age nine in the early 1980s, including forced oral copulation. Although Benestad denied the allegations, law enforcement authorities deemed them credible. His case was included in later diocesan and state disclosures addressing clergy abuse.

Luis A. Bonilla Margarito

• Sued

Luis A. Bonilla Margarito entered into a sexual relationship with a 19-year-old woman beginning in 2008, which continued despite parental complaints. He was sent to treatment, left therapy prematurely, and later lived with the woman and her child. Civil litigation followed, and his ministerial status was curtailed.

Edward W. Coleman

• Accused

Edward W. Coleman died on April 7, 2007. Following his death, the Diocese of Allentown received an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor during his time in ministry. The accusation was formally recorded and later disclosed as part of diocesan abuse reporting initiatives.

Robert G. Cofenas

• Sued

Robert G. Cofenas was publicly identified as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was treated at facilities in New Mexico and Pennsylvania for sexual abuse of a 17-year-old boy in 1986. Cofenas was laicized in 2005 following church proceedings.

David Connell

• Accused

David Connell made a sexual advance toward a male high school student and physically assaulted him after the incident was reported to Carmelite authorities. His record also notes that Connell himself had been sexually abused as a sixth-grade student. Church records reflect disciplinary action following the disclosure.

Thomas A. Derzack

• Accused

Thomas A. Derzack was suspended after taking photographs of high school wrestlers at a tournament that were deemed disturbing by authorities. Police investigated the incident but did not file criminal charges because the students were clothed. His ministerial duties were curtailed following the investigation.

Felix C. Fink

• Accused

Felix C. Fink died in 1966. An allegation of child sexual abuse was reported to the Diocese of Allentown after his death. He was first publicly named as accused on the diocese’s August 19, 2018 list of credibly accused clergy.

Bernard A. Flanagan

• Accused

Bernard A. Flanagan was removed from his pastoral assignments at multiple parishes, including Annunciation, St. George, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Shenandoah, and St. Mary Magdalen in Lost Creek. The removals followed credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor dating back approximately 25 years.

Francis J. Fromholzer

• Sued

Francis J. Fromholzer was accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a student during a trip to the Pocono Mountains in 1965, when she was between 13 and 14 years old. A second woman filed suit in 2004. Criminal prosecution was not pursued due to the statute of limitations.

Richard J. Ford

• Sued

Richard J. Ford sexually abused a 12-year-old student at Holy Guardian Angels Regional School in 1989. Reports were made to diocesan authorities, but no effective response followed at the time. Ford died in 2005. His conduct was later examined during civil proceedings involving the diocese.

Stephen T. Forish

• Sued

Stephen T. Forish was the subject of parental complaints in the early 1990s alleging he lured children. He was later accused of soliciting sex from a 22-year-old man in 1996, acquitted in 1998, sued in 2004, and died in a car accident in 2006.

James F. Gaffney

• Sued

James F. Gaffney was sued in 2004 by a woman who alleged he sexually abused her for two years beginning in 1990. He was removed from active ministry in 2002, laicized in 2015, and named in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.

Joseph D. Galko

• Accused

Joseph D. Galko was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He admitted to sexual activity with an 18-year-old male parishioner and to other sexual incidents involving males both before and after seminary and ordination.

Edward G. Ganster

• Accused

Edward G. Ganster was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy during the summer of 1977. He was first publicly named in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy. He died on July 3, 2014.

Francis T. Gillespie

• Accused

Francis T. Gillespie was accused in 1988 of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy at St. Joseph’s Parish in Girardville. The boy’s younger brother later reported that Gillespie began abusing him in 2002 when he was approximately 10 years old.

David C. Gillis

• Indicted

David C. Gillis was indicted in 2005 on allegations of child sexual abuse. He was later reinstated in 2018 after a district attorney determined the allegations were false. His case stands out among diocesan records due to the reversal of his ministerial restrictions.

Richard J. Giuliani

• Sued

Richard J. Giuliani was accused by a woman who stated he forced her to perform sexual acts beginning at age 12 in 1971 and continuing through 1975. She reported the abuse twice to church authorities. Giuliani reportedly left the priesthood in 1977.

Edward R. Graff

• Settled

Edward R. Graff served as a priest of the Diocese of Allentown before retiring to Texas in 1992. He was accused of raping a 13-year-old boy in 1984, an allegation later publicly disclosed by Pennsylvania legislator Mark Rozzi. Graff was arrested in Texas in 2002 in connection with the abuse allegations and died in jail while awaiting trial, before criminal proceedings concluded.

Joseph L. Grembocki

• Sued

Joseph L. Grembocki was accused alongside Rev. David A. Soderlund and other priests of sexually abusing a boy and the boy’s brother during the 1970s while serving in the Diocese of Allentown. The allegations described repeated abuse over an extended period. Grembocki died in June 2016 before civil claims related to the allegations were resolved through trial.

Stephen J. Halabura

• Sued

Stephen J. Halabura served as a priest in the Diocese of Allentown and later self-reported that he sexually abused a minor during the early 1980s. He was removed from the diocese’s list of clergy in 2019 following the disclosure. The admission led to civil litigation naming him in connection with the abuse while he was in active ministry.

Leo J. Houseknecht

• Sued

Leo J. Houseknecht was accused by a woman who stated that he sexually abused her while she was a student at Notre Dame High School in Bethlehem Township during the 1970s. Houseknecht remained in active pastoral ministry for years after the alleged abuse. He died in 1990 at age 53 while still serving as a parish priest.

Joseph D. Hulko

• Accused

Joseph D. Hulko was first publicly identified as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He admitted to the Diocese of Allentown in September 2003 that he sexually abused a girl at St. Francis Orphanage in Orwigsburg. The abuse occurred while he was assigned to ministry connected to the institution.

William E. Jones

• Sued

Monsignor William E. Jones was placed on administrative leave in 2002 after an allegation that he sexually abused a minor more than 20 years earlier. A civil lawsuit was filed against him in 2004 but was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Additional allegations later linked him to introducing victims to other abusive clergy.

Joseph H. Kean

• Accused

Joseph H. Kean abused a boy over several years, beginning when the victim was approximately 12 years old. Kean acknowledged the abuse and also admitted to abusing the boy’s friend. In 2002, a third man reported that Monsignor William E. Jones sexually abused him and then introduced him to Kean, where the abuse continued.

Thomas J. Kerestus

• Settled

Thomas J. Kerestus was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. In 2005, he was evaluated by St. John Vianney Center and assessed as falling in the moderate to high range for sexual reoffense risk. Civil claims related to his abuse allegations were later resolved through settlement.

Bronislaus J. Kopec

• Accused

Bronislaus J. Kopec was first publicly named as credibly accused on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list. The allegation was reported after his death and involved abuse committed during his time serving as priest. Kopec died on June 30, 1968, decades before the accusation became publicly known.

Robert J. Kuzmann

• Accused

Robert J. Kuzmann was publicly identified as credibly accused on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list. He was removed from ministry in 2006 and later laicized in 2015. His assignments included St. Jerome Parish in Tamaqua and Marian Catholic High School during the period of alleged abuse.

Michael S. Lawrence

• Sued

Michael S. Lawrence was accused by a man who reported that Lawrence molested him at age 12 during a tutoring session in 1982 at St. Catharine of Siena Parish in Mount Penn. Lawrence was removed from parish ministry in 2002 and later listed on the diocese’s August 19, 2018 roster of credibly accused clergy.

Kevin Lonergan

• Convicted

Kevin Lonergan was charged in 2018 with felony corruption of minors and misdemeanor indecent assault after groping a 17-year-old girl and sending her nude photographs of himself. He pleaded guilty in 2019 and was sentenced to one to two years in state prison. The conviction resulted in his permanent removal from ministry.

William J. Maslar

• Accused

William J. Maslar was first publicly named as accused on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list. He had been removed from ministry in 2002 amid abuse allegations involving minors. Maslar died in 2005, years before his name was formally disclosed by the diocese.

Joseph L. Mathis

• Accused

Monsignor Joseph L. Mathis was accused of sexual abuse after his death. The allegation surfaced during broader diocesan reviews of clergy misconduct. Mathis had held senior clerical rank during his career in the Diocese of Allentown, and the accusation was later included in public disclosures of accused clergy.

William T. McCandless

• Guilty plea

William T. McCandless was charged with three counts related to child pornography offenses. He lost his position as a counselor at DeSales University following the charges. McCandless pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release.

James J. McHale

• Sued

Monsignor James J. McHale was sued in 2009 by a woman who alleged that he sexually abused her repeatedly from 1964 through 1984. She stated that she reported the abuse to a priest in 1991 on multiple occasions, but no action was taken at that time. McHale denied the allegations before his death.

Francis Joseph McNelis

• Sued

Francis Joseph McNelis was sent to the Paraclete Fathers treatment facility in New Mexico following abuse concerns. He was later reassigned to St. Ignatius Parish in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, where he remained until his removal from ministry in March 2002. McNelis died on March 24, 2005.

James J. Mihalak

• Charged

James J. Mihalak was charged in 1997 with fondling a 17-year-old male hitchhiker. He was placed on probation in 1998 and later suspended from ministerial duties in 2004. His name was included on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list of credibly accused clergy.

Francis A. Nave

• Settled

Monsignor Francis A. Nave was suspended from ministry after allegations that he encouraged a 16-year-old boy to masturbate during online video counseling sessions in 2012. The conduct involved electronic communication while Nave was acting in a clerical counseling role. Civil claims related to the allegations were later settled.

Gabriel M. Patil

• Settled

Gabriel M. Patil was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy, age eight, in 1992 while serving as a fill-in priest at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Northampton. Additional allegations described abuse occurring between 1978 and 1980 at Bethlehem Catholic High School. Civil claims were resolved through settlement.

Robert J. Potts

• Reinstated

Robert J. Potts was accused of sexually abusing a minor during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following an internal investigation, diocesan authorities concluded that he did not commit the alleged acts. Potts was subsequently returned to ministry and remained listed as reinstated after the inquiry concluded.

Paul G. Puza

• Accused

Paul G. Puza was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He served in parish, high school, and Catholic Scouting assignments. Puza admitted to sexual misconduct with a minor in 2002, was removed from ministry, and was laicized in 2010.

Joseph A. Rock

• Settled

Joseph A. Rock served in parish assignments as well as Catholic Scouting and CYO programs within the Diocese of Allentown. He resigned from ministry in 2001 after allegations that he sexually abused two elderly residents and admitted to inappropriate sexual contact involving boys. Additional accusations described abuse of a boy between 1979 and 1981. Rock was publicly named in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, and related civil claims were resolved through settlement.

Dennis A. Rigney

• Sued

Dennis A. Rigney served for more than 36 years as director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Allentown and held senior chancery roles. In January 2004, he was sued over allegations that he sexually abused a nine-year-old girl. The claim placed his conduct within the period of his diocesan leadership. Rigney was later named in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.

Charles J. Ruffenach

• Accused

Charles J. Ruffenach was accused by a man who reported that Ruffenach sexually and physically abused him beginning around 1945, when the victim was a first-grade student. The abuse was described as occurring during Ruffenach’s early service as priest. The allegation was later reported to the Diocese of Allentown during retrospective reviews of clergy misconduct.

Gerald J. Royer

• Accused

Gerald J. Royer was transferred eight times during his first eight years of priesthood in the Diocese of Allentown. He took two leaves of absence and left active ministry in 1964. Royer was laicized in 1965. Abuse allegations later emerged concerning his conduct during ministry. He died in 2003.

John Pascal Sabas

• Settled

John Pascal Sabas was accused of sexually abusing at least one 14-year-old boy during the summer of 1964 while serving in the Diocese of Allentown. The allegation described abuse occurring during pastoral contact with a minor. A civil claim related to the abuse was settled out of court in 1991 for $40,000.

Edward Sacks

• Reinstated

Monsignor Edward Sacks was suspended from parish ministry following an allegation of sexual abuse. During the review process, the accuser later stated that the allegation had been made in error. After the claim was withdrawn, diocesan authorities reinstated Sacks to ministry, restoring his clerical faculties.

William J. Shields

• Sued

William J. Shields was named in a civil lawsuit filed in 2004 alleging that he sexually abused a 12-year-old altar boy in 1972. A second man later reported that Shields sexually abused him approximately 25 to 30 years earlier. The allegations were addressed through civil litigation involving the Diocese of Allentown.

Stephen F. Shigo

• Accused

Stephen F. Shigo served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Allentown. He was accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in 1981 while assigned to parish ministry. Shigo died in 1991 at age 38, years before the allegation became publicly disclosed during later diocesan reviews.

David A. Soderlund

• Convicted

David A. Soderlund was accused of sexually abusing three boys between the ages of 12 and 13. He was sent to St. John Vianney Center for treatment and later assigned as director of pastoral care at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Pottsville. He was removed in 1989 for violating restrictions, arrested in 2009 on child pornography charges, convicted, sentenced to two to five years in prison, and required to register as a sex offender in Wyoming.

Ann Marie Paul

• Accused

Ann Marie Paul was accused by a woman who reported that Paul groomed and sexually abused her while she was a student at Reading Central Catholic High School. The allegation described ongoing misconduct during Paul’s involvement at the school. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the report.

Henry E. Strassner

• Accused

Very Reverend Henry E. Strassner was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and later included on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list of credibly accused clergy. He admitted to kissing a 19-year-old male during a counseling session and was accused by multiple men of sexual assault during pastoral encounters.

Bruno M. Tucci

• Charged

Bruno M. Tucci was arrested in 2012 on charges that he molested a Pennsylvania boy during a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, in 1981. The allegation described abuse occurring while Tucci was acting in a clerical role. He was later included on the Diocese of Allentown’s August 19, 2018 list of credibly accused clergy.

Andrew Aloysius Ulincy

• Accused

Andrew Aloysius Ulincy was accused in 1981 after a 17-year-old boy reported to police that Ulincy sexually propositioned him. In 2010, a separate report was made by a 25-year-old man who stated that Ulincy exposed himself to him during the early 1990s. The allegations spanned multiple decades of Ulincy’s clerical life.

A. Gregory Uhrig

• Accused

A. Gregory Uhrig served as a priest of the Diocese of Allentown for approximately 20 years and worked as an educator, parish priest, and diocesan official. Allegations of sexual abuse dating back roughly 30 years were reviewed by diocesan authorities and deemed not frivolous. Uhrig was placed on administrative leave while the allegations were addressed.

Ronald J. Yarrosh

• Convicted

Ronald J. Yarrosh was arrested in 2004 on charges related to possession of child pornography. He was sent to St. John Vianney Hospital for evaluation and treatment and later pleaded guilty to embezzlement. Yarrosh was dismissed from the priesthood in 2007 and was publicly named in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.

Joseph A. Zmijewski

• Accused

Joseph A. Zmijewski was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. A woman reported to the Diocese of Allentown that Zmijewski sexually abused her in 1950 when she was a ninth-grade student at St. Peter’s School in Reading. The allegation surfaced decades after the alleged abuse.

John G. Zolondek

• Accused

John G. Zolondek served in parish assignments in Bridgeport, Emmaus, Willow Grove, and Philadelphia, and later worked as music director at Allentown Central Catholic High School. Abuse allegations surfaced posthumously during broader diocesan reviews of clergy misconduct. Zolondek died in 1962, decades before his name appeared in public disclosures of accused clergy associated with the Diocese of Allentown.

Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown PA

Francis Ackerson

• Accused

Monsignor Francis Ackerson was publicly identified in the March 1, 2016 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report as having engaged in sexually abusive acts involving minors during his time as a priest. He held senior clerical rank within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The grand jury findings placed his conduct within the scope of statewide investigations examining clergy misconduct documented through official records.

David Arsenault

• Accused

David Arsenault was placed on administrative leave by Bishop Mark Bartchak while the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown reexamined abuse allegations. The March 1, 2016 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report described sexual assault of a minor aged 17 to 18 while Arsenault was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Renovo, Pennsylvania. The conduct occurred during active parish ministry.

Joseph J. Bender

• Settled

Joseph J. Bender was accused of repeated sexual abuse of a minor during the 1970s. He was removed from ministry in 1992 and later named in three civil lawsuits filed in 2003. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown paid $3.71 million to resolve claims by 21 victims involving 11 priests, including Bender, through a global settlement.

Harold N. Biller

• Sued

Harold N. Biller was named in civil complaints filed in 2003 and 2004 that described concerns regarding sexual interest in children during his time as priest. The allegations arose within litigation involving the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Biller retired from ministry in 2009 and later resided in a facility for elderly and disabled individuals.

Peter Bodenschatz

• Accused

Peter Bodenschatz was accused by a man who reported to Bishop Joseph Adamec that Bodenschatz sexually abused him in 1940 while the victim was an eighth-grade altar boy. The abuse was described as occurring during Bodenschatz’s active ministry. The allegation later surfaced during retrospective examinations of clergy misconduct.

Charles F. Bodziak

• Sued

Charles F. Bodziak was accused by a woman who reported repeated sexual abuse while she was 16 and in foster care. He was placed on leave pending investigation into allegations dating back approximately three decades. Two sisters later sued Bodziak for childhood sexual abuse; the case was dismissed under prior limitations law and revived in June 2019.

John J. Boyle

• Settled

John J. Boyle was accused of sexually abusing five boys between 1958 and 1982, including abuse of a 12-year-old in 1969. Additional allegations described repeated assaults following an incident in 1973 involving alcohol. Civil claims related to Boyle’s conduct were later resolved through settlement.

Martin Alfred Brady

• Settled

Martin Alfred Brady was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old student in the late 1970s while serving as a teacher at Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg. The allegation concerned misconduct during an educational assignment. Brady died in March 2003 while residing within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia.

James F. Bunn

• Accused

James F. Bunn was found by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Grand Jury to have engaged in repeated sexual abuse of a boy between the ages of 10 and 13 during the 1960s. Despite the conduct, Bunn remained in ministry for many years. He was removed from public ministry in 2002 amid renewed scrutiny.

Harold J. Burkhardt

• Accused

Monsignor Harold J. Burkhardt was accused by a man who reported sexual abuse at age nine. Rather than referring the matter to law enforcement, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown hired private investigators to examine the complaint. The handling of the allegation later became part of public disclosures addressing diocesan responses to abuse.

Andrew S. Campbell

• Settled

Andrew S. Campbell was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who alleged that Campbell and two other priests at St. Vincent University sexually abused her 16-year-old son. The claim concerned conduct during the priests’ involvement with the institution. The lawsuit was resolved through settlement without a trial verdict.

Thomas M. Carroll

• Sued

Thomas M. Carroll was named in the March 1, 2016 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report among priests alleged to have engaged in sexually abusive acts involving minors. Carroll admitted to sexual behavior with a 17-year-old during his ministry. He died on October 1, 1988, prior to public disclosure of the allegations.

Athanasius C. Cherry

• Settled

Athanasius C. Cherry was sued by a woman who alleged that her son was sexually abused by Cherry and two other priests at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe. The lawsuit also named the Benedictine Archabbey and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown as defendants. Claims related to the alleged abuse were resolved through settlement.

Martin A. Cingle

• Accused

Martin A. Cingle was accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old altar boy during a single incident detailed in the March 1, 2016 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was sent for psychological evaluation, which reported no evidence of psychopathology. Cingle was subsequently returned to ministry.

Dennis E. Coleman

• Sued

Dennis E. Coleman was accused after parents raised concerns in 1979 regarding their 10-year-old son’s behavior to Bishop William Hogan. The child reported overnight stays at the rectory involving inappropriate conduct. The allegations led to civil litigation involving Coleman and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

James B. Coveney

• Accused

James B. Coveney was accused of sexual abuse involving a 10-year-old boy and five seventh-grade boys during the 1980s while serving in parish ministry. He was sent to treatment programs in 1996 and again in 2011 as the allegations were addressed through internal processes.

Alvin T. Downey

• Settled

Alvin T. Downey was sued in 2002 by a woman who alleged that he sexually abused a minor in 1981 while serving as a priest. Her lawsuit was dismissed, after which her son filed a separate civil suit against Downey and the same co-defendants. Related claims were later resolved through settlement.

Donald W. Dusza

• Accused

Donald W. Dusza served as pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in North Cambria. He was placed on administrative leave in June 2019 following an allegation that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a young person during the 1980s. The diocese initiated a review of the allegation while Dusza remained on leave pending further determination.

Mario Fabbri

• Accused

Mario Fabbri was accused of sexually abusing a ninth-grade boy in 1950 while assigned to St. John Gualbert Parish in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Additional allegations described similar abuse occurring in New York, Montreal, and Quebec during his clerical service. The allegations later emerged through retrospective reviews of clergy misconduct involving multiple jurisdictions.

Elwood F. Figurelle

• Convicted

Elwood F. Figurelle was arrested in 1973 on charges related to indecent exposure and was later federally charged with downloading child sexual abuse material. He pleaded guilty to the federal offense and was sentenced to a prison term of 15 to 21 months. The conviction resulted in permanent removal from ministry.

Joseph Gaborek

• Sued

Joseph Gaborek was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in 1982. Following the allegation, he was quietly sent out of state for treatment and later reassigned to parish ministry. He was eventually placed on permanent leave and later charged in connection with sexual abuse of a 14-year-old runaway.

Stephen J. Gergel

• Accused

Stephen J. Gergel served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Johnstown from November 1969 to July 1989 and later as a U.S. Navy chaplain until his retirement in 2005. He was publicly named as accused by the diocese on January 16, 2020. Gergel was placed on leave pending diocesan review of the allegations.

Bernard V. Grattan

• Settled

Bernard V. Grattan was suspended by Bishop Joseph Adamec in 2002 after a civil lawsuit was filed by multiple plaintiffs. In 2004, Grattan settled the lawsuit for $3.7 million. The Pennsylvania Attorney General later concluded that diocesan leadership actions related to the case endangered the public.

Leonard Inman

• Sued

Leonard Inman was identified in civil lawsuits filed in February 2003 as one of several priests described as known to diocesan leadership for prior abuse concerns. An investigation was halted after diocesan officials met with local law enforcement leadership. Inman was subsequently sent for treatment rather than removed through criminal proceedings.

Robert Joseph Kelly

• Settled

Robert Joseph Kelly was accused of sexually abusing a boy between 1975 and 1977. He was assessed as pedophilic in 1993, with recommendations to avoid contact with young people. Despite this, he was reassigned to parish ministry in State College. Kelly was later identified as one of several priests known to diocesan leadership for abuse allegations.

George D. Koharchik

• Accused

George D. Koharchik was removed from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Mount Union and placed on leave following allegations of sexual misconduct with minors during the late 1970s. He later admitted to abusing close to 12 children. Koharchik was laicized on January 22, 2016.

William Kovach

• Accused

William Kovach was accused in 1982 of sexually abusing a boy. He admitted the abuse to Bishop William Hogan. Despite the admission, Kovach remained in ministry without enforced restrictions and continued to work in roles that included contact with children.

Thomas M. Lemmon

• Accused

Thomas M. Lemmon was an ordained deacon and religion teacher within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. He died after falling from a fourth-floor balcony. Allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced in connection with his service and were later included in diocesan reviews of abuse allegations.

Anthony M. Little

• Accused

Monsignor Anthony M. Little was removed as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Newry in March 2013 pending investigation of an allegation that he sexually abused a boy during the 1990s. He remained removed from parish leadership while the diocese reviewed the allegation.

Germain Lieb

• Accused

Germain Lieb was associated with Immaculate Conception in New Germany, Pennsylvania. Allegations emerged that a minor was sexually abused by Benedictine monks at the institution during the period of Lieb’s involvement. The case later became part of broader disclosures regarding abuse within religious communities.

Francis E. Luddy

• Settled

Francis E. Luddy was sued by two brothers who alleged sexual abuse during their childhood. Luddy was their godfather at the time of the alleged misconduct. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown paid $3.71 million as part of a global settlement resolving claims against multiple priests, including Luddy.

Thomas K. Mabon

• Settled

Monsignor Thomas K. Mabon was suspended in 2002 following an allegation that he sexually abused an altar boy. He was later permitted to resume ministry in November 2003. Mabon was included in a global settlement in which the diocese paid $3.71 million to resolve claims by multiple victims.

Nicholas J. Mancini

• Accused

Nicholas J. Mancini retired from active ministry and was later publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on its list released January 16, 2020. He was placed on leave pending diocesan determination regarding the allegation or allegations under review.

Joseph D. Maurizio

• Sentenced

Joseph D. Maurizio was arrested following a federal investigation that included a Homeland Security raid of a rectory. He was charged with illicit sexual conduct in foreign locations, possession of child sexual abuse material, and international money laundering. Maurizio was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release.

Robert C. Mazur

• Accused

Monsignor Robert C. Mazur retired from ministry and was placed on leave in March 2019 during an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor occurring years earlier. The diocese initiated a review while Mazur remained removed from active ministry.

Francis B. McCaa

• Sued

Monsignor Francis B. McCaa was accused of sexually abusing boys between the ages of eight and fifteen from 1961 to 1985 at Holy Name Parish and School in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. He was sent for treatment and later assigned to hospital chaplaincy in West Virginia following a recommendation by diocesan leadership.

Martin D. McCamley

• Settled

Martin D. McCamley was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in 1981. A report of the allegation was dismissed by diocesan leadership at the time, and McCamley later served as vice principal of Bishop McCort High School. He was suspended in 2003 and retired to Orlando, Florida, in 2004.

Matthew E. Misurda

• Accused

Matthew E. Misurda served as pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish when he was placed on leave in September 2019 following allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was included on the diocese’s accused clergy list released January 16, 2020, and remained on leave pending review.

Regis Myers

• Accused

Regis Myers was accused by a man who reported in 1997 that Myers abused him while he was a postulate. The diocese did not refer the allegation to law enforcement and instead attempted to facilitate contact between the complainant and Myers. The allegation later became part of public disclosures regarding diocesan handling of abuse.

Christian Neetz

• Accused

Christian Neetz was accused of sexually abusing a child during the 1950s. Subsequent disclosures indicated that the victim later experienced abuse by other members of the T.O.R. Franciscans. The case was included in broader examinations of abuse within religious orders.

Daniel F. O’Friel

• Accused

Daniel F. O’Friel was identified in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Grand Jury Report as having sexually abused two male students at Bishop Carroll High School during the 1970s. One victim later sought counseling from another priest, where additional inappropriate conduct was alleged. The findings were documented as part of statewide investigations.

John J. Palko

• Accused

John J. Palko was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during the 1980s. Diocesan leadership retained him in ministry following the allegation. Subsequent disclosures criticized the diocese’s handling of the complaint and its treatment of the victim.

Anthony J. Petracca

• Charged

Anthony J. Petracca served short-term assignments in multiple parishes and worked as a hospital chaplain and campus minister. He was placed on leave on July 5, 2017, following an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor occurring in the mid-1980s. Criminal charges were later filed in connection with the allegation.

Gerard J. Ream

• Accused

Gerard J. Ream served in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and was connected to Bishop Carroll High School. In 1966, he developed a focused and persistent interest in a female student and later harassed her after she formed a relationship with another student. The conduct was later identified during retrospective reviews examining inappropriate behavior by clergy in educational settings.

David R. Rizzo

• Accused

David R. Rizzo served as administrator of St. Augustine Parish in Dysart and St. Monica Parish in Chest Springs. He was placed on administrative leave in September 2019 following an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The diocese initiated a formal review, and Rizzo remained removed from ministry pending its outcome.

Leonard Riforgiato

• Sued

Leonard Riforgiato was publicly identified as accused on the Jesuits Northeast Province list released January 15, 2019. He spent 27 years teaching at Penn State’s Shenango Valley campus and was described as being closely involved in youth-related activities. Civil litigation later named him in connection with abuse allegations arising during his period of service.

William A. Rosensteel

• Accused

William A. Rosensteel was accused in 2006 of sexually abusing a boy at St. Patrick Parish in Johnstown. In 2007, an additional report stated that Rosensteel abused multiple boys at the same parish over an extended period. The allegations placed his conduct within a broader pattern of abuse later disclosed to diocesan authorities.

James F. Skupien

• Accused

James F. Skupien served as principal of Bishop Guilfoyle High School in 1981. During that year, police discovered him in a compromising situation involving a youth. Despite the incident, he was retained in ministry. Subsequent disclosures described sexual abuse of a minor during his clerical career.

Joseph J. Strittmatter

• Sued

Joseph J. Strittmatter came under diocesan scrutiny in 1991 after officials learned he had sexually abused a girl from early childhood into her teenage years between 1961 and 1969. In 2002, he admitted to prior abuse of an eight-year-old child. The admissions and allegations were later addressed through civil litigation.

Raymond Waldruff

• Sued

Raymond Waldruff was named in the March 2016 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. Allegations described sexual abuse of a boy between 1964 and 1967 while Waldruff served in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese and a monastery in Hollidaysburg, Kentucky. He was sent to Massachusetts for treatment in 1976, dismissed from his religious order in 1983, and died on March 25, 1985. His name later appeared on the Wheeling-Charleston diocesan list.

Benedict Wolf

• Accused

Benedict Wolf was accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1979. He was later added to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s list of individuals with substantiated allegations and, in May 2022, to the Diocese of Owensboro’s disclosure list. The allegations span multiple diocesan jurisdictions.

Diocese of Erie PA

Michael P. Allison

• Accused

Michael P. Allison served as a parish priest, educator, and campus minister within the Diocese of Erie. He was publicly named as accused by the diocese in January 2024 following a review of historical allegations. His name was added to the diocese’s official disclosure list as part of updated public reporting.

Michael J. Amy

• Accused

Michael J. Amy was included on the Diocese of Erie’s list released April 6, 2018. He admitted to sexually abusing multiple boys and to involvement with male prostitutes while serving as a priest. Amy was laicized at an unspecified date and was later reported to be living in Florida.

Stephen A. Anderson

• Accused

Stephen A. Anderson was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Erie on its April 5, 2019 disclosure list. At the time of publication, the diocese noted that allegations against him were under investigation. Anderson died on March 29, 2013, prior to the public release of his name.

Raymond J. Balko

• Accused

Raymond J. Balko was identified as credibly accused by the Saint Vincent Archabbey Benedictines in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 2018. The allegation surfaced decades after his death. Balko died in 1985 and was later included in public disclosures addressing abuse associated with Benedictine clergy.

Michael G. Barletta

• Sued

Michael G. Barletta, also known as “Barts,” was accused by three men who reported that he sexually abused them while he was a teacher at Cathedral Preparatory School during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite the reports, Barletta was reassigned to parish ministry and diocesan office roles, including work with Catholic Charities and service as a monastery chaplain.

Donald Bolton

• Convicted

Donald Bolton was reported to the district attorney after parents alleged he sexually abused their daughter over a two-year period. He was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors, received a sentence of three years’ probation, and agreed to participate in a treatment program as part of the criminal disposition.

Robert F. Bower

• Arrested

Robert F. Bower was arrested in 1999 on charges related to downloading child sexual abuse material from the internet. He resigned from the priesthood in 2002. In 2003, Bower filed a slander lawsuit against the Diocese of Erie and two bishops, which was dismissed by the court.

Dennis C. Chludzinski

• Accused

Dennis C. Chludzinski was included on the Diocese of Erie’s disclosure list released April 6, 2018. He admitted in 1991 to sexual contact with an 18-year-old male student at Mercyhurst High School and to repeated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy over a nine-month period in 1984.

Bonaventure M. Ciufoli

• Accused

Bonaventure M. Ciufoli was listed by the Diocese of Erie among priests, lay employees, and volunteers accused of sexually abusing minors. His inclusion followed diocesan reviews of historical allegations involving multiple categories of church personnel.

Donald J. Cooper

• Accused

Donald J. Cooper was named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report for engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy while assigned to St. Charles Parish in New Bethlehem. Following the disclosure, Cooper agreed to retire from ministry.

Kevin E. Cray

• Accused

Kevin E. Cray was added to the Diocese of Erie’s list of credibly accused clergy, employees, and volunteers on May 18, 2018. The disclosure occurred years after his death. Cray died on January 31, 1999.

G. Matthew Daly

• Accused

G. Matthew Daly served in multiple senior roles, including parish priest, diocesan vice chancellor, headmaster of Bradford Central Christian High School, assistant headmaster of Cathedral Preparatory School, and director of a home for retired priests. He died on October 9, 1982. Allegations of abuse were reported after his death and included in the diocese’s list updated July 18, 2018.

David V. Dobrowolski

• Accused

David V. Dobrowolski was included on the Diocese of Erie’s list released April 6, 2018, identifying clergy and personnel accused of sexually abusing minors. He died on December 28, 1985. According to the diocese, allegations were reported only after his death.

Gregory P. Furjanic

• Accused

Gregory P. Furjanic was a Chicago-based Croatian Franciscan friar accused of sexual abuse during the 1970s and 1980s. He was laicized in 2005. Afterward, he attempted to obtain priestly credentials in Florida and Alabama and was later included on the Archdiocese of Mobile’s disclosure list in 2018.

Chester J. Gawronski

• Sued

During internal reviews in the early 2000s, prior allegations involving Chester J. Gawronski resurfaced. In 2002, a man reported that Gawronski molested him in the late 1970s when he was an 11-year-old altar boy. Records show that diocesan officials were aware by 1984 of alleged abuse involving a 13-year-old boy from 1976 to 1977, after which Gawronski was sent for treatment.

Herbert G. Gloekler

• Accused

Multiple women came forward describing misconduct attributed to Herbert G. Gloekler during the 1950s. One woman alleged sexual abuse, while others stated that Gloekler fondled them while they assisted in the rectory and looked down their dresses. Additional witnesses reported observing similar behavior, forming a consistent pattern later reviewed by diocesan authorities.

John B. Hagerty

• Accused

Included on the Diocese of Erie’s disclosure list in January 2024, John B. Hagerty served as a parish priest and educator and held the title of Monsignor. At the time of publication, the diocese indicated the allegation was under investigation. Hagerty died in April 2013, years before his name was publicly released.

Robert E. Hannon

• Accused

Public disclosures in 2018 identified Robert E. Hannon on both the Erie diocesan list and the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was transferred to Hawaii in June 1979, where he remained until his death on January 16, 2006, at age 79. Allegations emerged later through statewide investigations.

Patrick J. Healy

• Settled

Following diocesan determinations in 2018, Patrick J. Healy was identified as credibly accused of sexually abusing a girl repeatedly over several years. Civil litigation alleged abuse exceeding 100 incidents. The case was resolved through a settlement finalized in 2020.

James F. Hopkins

• Accused

Ordained in Buffalo, James F. Hopkins later served parishes in Sharon, Corry, and Titusville, Pennsylvania, and was elevated to Monsignor in 1949. In 1993, a woman reported to diocesan leadership that Hopkins sexually abused her in 1945 at the St. Titus rectory. The allegation surfaced decades after the alleged conduct.

Barry M. Hudock

• Accused

Barry M. Hudock was added to the Diocese of Erie’s list of credibly accused clergy on May 18, 2018. He had been laicized in 2005 and later resigned in June 2018 from his position as publisher at Liturgical Press at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Joseph W. Jerge

• Accused

Disclosed on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018, Joseph W. Jerge had previously been sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland in 1989 for treatment related to allegations of sexual abuse of young boys. His name later appeared among those identified during diocesan reviews of past misconduct.

Stephen E. Jeselnick

• Accused

Stephen E. Jeselnick was listed on the Erie diocese’s 2018 disclosure and included in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was also referenced in the April 5, 2023 Maryland Attorney General Report. Allegations described sexual abuse of three boys during the late 1970s.

Edward W. Jungquist

• Accused

Assignments in Erie, Grove City, Oil City, and Titusville marked Edward W. Jungquist’s clerical service before he later relocated to Tucson, Arizona. Over time, his name ceased to appear in the Official Catholic Directory. Allegations were later included in diocesan disclosures addressing historical abuse.

Charles A. Kaza

• Reinstated

Charles A. Kaza, a Monsignor, was removed from active ministry following an allegation and later reinstated after review. The diocese did not publicly disclose further details regarding the investigation beyond confirming his return to ministry status.

Thomas C. Kelley

• Settled

While serving at St. Mark’s Seminary and the North American College in Rome, Thomas C. Kelley was accused of inappropriate sexual contact with at least five males between the ages of 18 and 25. Civil claims were later resolved through settlement. Kelley died in 2005.

Sean P. Kerins

• Accused

Following allegations that he engaged in inappropriate text messaging with a student at Kennedy Catholic High School, where he served as chaplain, Sean P. Kerins was suspended from public ministry and barred from contact with minors. Law enforcement investigated the matter, and his name appeared on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018.

Gary L. Ketcham

• Guilty plea

Initially named publicly as accused in April 2018 and later included in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, Gary L. Ketcham was sent for treatment in Minnesota and Maryland. He later served on health leave at the St. Patrick and St. Hedwig parish cluster in Erie following a guilty plea.

Thaddeus T. Kondzielski

• Accused

Thaddeus T. Kondzielski was included on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018, and the August 14, 2018 Grand Jury Report. He retired on April 29, 2013, and was prohibited from functioning as a priest following disclosure of the allegation.

Conrad L. Kraus

• Accused

Publicly named by the Diocese of Erie on April 5, 2019, Conrad L. Kraus held the title of Monsignor. He died on May 13, 2009. An updated diocesan list released February 1, 2023, classified the allegation against him as credible following further review.

Gerard H. Krebs

• Accused

Allegations involving Gerard H. Krebs included reports from at least three individuals, among them a former student of Venango Christian High School. Krebs was sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland in 2002 and retired from ministry in January 2004.

Jerome Kucan

• Accused 

A Croatian Franciscan, Jerome Kucan appeared on multiple disclosure lists, including those of the Erie Diocese, Harrisburg Diocese, Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, and the Archdiocese of Chicago. The listings span from 2018 through 2022 and identify him as credibly accused across several jurisdictions.

Thomas M. Lechner

• Accused

Thomas M. Lechner was first publicly named as accused in an update to the Erie diocesan list on October 30, 2018. The accompanying disclosure stated that he had been laicized prior to publication, reflecting a formal removal from clerical status.

Fidelis G. Lazar

• Sued

The Diocese of Erie added Fidelis G. Lazar to its list of credibly accused clergy and personnel on May 18, 2018. Lazar died on March 18, 2018, in Connecticut. His name was later included in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released August 14, 2018.

Louis H. Lorei

• Accused

Louis H. Lorei served as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Erie from 1981 to 1985 and died in 1986. In 2009, a report was received alleging that he sexually abused an altar boy between the ages of 11 and 13 during his ministry.

Salvatore P. Luzzi

• Settled

Salvatore P. Luzzi was named on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018, and was barred from functioning as a priest. Allegations described abuse of eight male victims while assigned to St. Mark’s Seminary, including one individual who later died by suicide. Civil claims were resolved through settlement.

Richard D. Lynch

• Accused

Richard D. Lynch was accused of sexually and physically abusing a student during the 1978 to 1979 period. The allegation surfaced after his death in 2000 and was later included in diocesan disclosures addressing historical abuse cases.

Daniel J. Martin

• Settled

A former priest reported that Daniel J. Martin sexually abused him beginning in 1985 when he was 16 years old, with abuse continuing through 1989. Martin died in 2006. His estate resolved the claim through a settlement reached in 2021 in the low six-figure range.

H. Desmond McGee Jr.

• Sued

H. Desmond McGee Jr. was suspended in 1997 from his role as headmaster of Bradford Central Christian High School after a civil lawsuit alleged he sexually abused a male student on multiple occasions between the ages of 14 and 17. The litigation prompted his removal from the position.

Joseph F. Meisinger

• Accused

Joseph F. Meisinger, who held the title of Monsignor, was included on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018. The disclosure identified him among clergy accused of sexually abusing minors. Meisinger died on March 6, 1979.

Leon T. Muroski

• Accused

Leon T. Muroski was named on the Erie diocesan list released April 6, 2018. Allegations described sexual misconduct during the early 1990s while he served as spiritual director at St. Mark’s Seminary. Muroski died in 2023.

Edmundus (James) Murphy

• Accused

In 1964, Edmundus Murphy, also known as James Murphy, sexually abused a male student at Sacred Heart High School in Girard. He died in 2014. His name later appeared on the Divine Word Missionaries Chicago Province list of credibly accused clergy.

John L. Murray

• Convicted

John L. Murray was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1959 while assigned to St. Paul’s Parish in Erie. He received a sentence of one year probation, had his faculties removed, and was sent to two treatment facilities. Murray died in March 2018.

Giles L. Nealen

• Sued

In 2002, a woman reported to the diocese that Giles L. Nealen had molested three men during their childhood. In 2004, her 11-year-old son was also reported to have been sexually abused by Nealen. Civil litigation followed these disclosures.

M. Stella Ochs

• Accused

M. Stella Ochs was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Erie on January 2, 2023. The diocese indicated the allegation remained under investigation. Ochs died in October 1988, decades before public disclosure.

Jan C. Olowin

• Accused

Jan C. Olowin, a Monsignor, was identified as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He retired to Sun City, Arizona, in October 2016 and was later forbidden from functioning as a priest due to the allegation.

Andrew W. Pawlaczyk

• Accused

Andrew W. Pawlaczyk was added to the Diocese of Erie’s disclosure list on May 18, 2018. A man reported that Pawlaczyk sexually abused him while he was a student at Cathedral Preparatory School, where Pawlaczyk served as a teacher.

John A. Piatkowski

• Settled

In the Diocese of Erie’s April 2018 disclosures and the August 2018 statewide grand jury report, John A. Piatkowski was identified in connection with an allegation of child sexual abuse. The allegation described abuse of a boy between ages 8 and 12 from 1949 to 1953 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sykesville, Pennsylvania. The matter was later resolved through a settlement.

David Poulson

• Convicted

After serving as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Cambridge Springs and as a teacher at Bradford Central Christian High School, David Poulson was arrested in a criminal case involving sexual abuse of minors. He entered a guilty plea and received a sentence of 2 to 14 years in prison, was laicized, and later settled a civil claim tied to alleged abuse occurring from 2002 to 2010.

William F. Presley

• Settled

Internal awareness of allegations against William F. Presley dated back to 1982 within the Diocese of Erie. In 2002, three individuals reported sexual abuse spanning 1963 to 1974, including an allegation involving a victim who was 13 and another who was a University of Notre Dame student. The claims proceeded through civil channels and were later resolved by settlement.

Joseph V. Reszkowski

• Accused

Public disclosure in October 2018 identified Monsignor Joseph V. Reszkowski as credibly accused in the Diocese of Erie’s updated list. Abuse was reported after his death, and he had died on September 4, 2003. The disclosure placed him among clergy determined by diocesan review to be disqualified from ministry involving minors.

William A. Rice

• Accused

Following a diocesan review, William A. Rice was added to the Diocese of Erie’s public disclosures as under investigation. He was directed to refrain from public ministry and was forbidden to function as a priest while the allegation was assessed. The restrictions reflected an administrative removal from active clerical duties during the review period.

Jerome Rupprecht

• Indicted

In a criminal case arising from allegations of child sexual abuse, Jerome Rupprecht was publicly identified as credibly accused of abusing a child in the early 1970s. The case proceeded to indictment, placing him within the small subset of clergy abuse matters that advanced through formal criminal charging rather than remaining solely within civil or canonical processes.

John P. Schanz

• Accused

Removal from active ministry occurred in 2002 for John P. Schanz after allegations involving at least seven victims. Accounts included a report from 1974 connected to Camp Notre Dame and a separate 1974 allegation involving an altar boy at Holy Cross. The pattern described multiple reports across the same period, followed years later by administrative action and disclosure.

John M. (Jay) Schultz

• Accused

In the Diocese of Erie’s February 15, 2023 update, John M. Schultz, known as Jay, was publicly named as accused and listed as under investigation. He was reported as living in Brentwood, Tennessee at the time of disclosure. The listing reflected diocesan identification of the allegation within its public accountability process.

Charles R. Schmitt

• Accused

A diocesan allegation review in 2018 led to the removal of Charles R. Schmitt from public ministry. The allegation involved abuse of a minor in the 1960s. Schmitt later died in January 2021, and his name remained included in the diocese’s disclosures as part of the record of accused clergy.

Charles A. Sheets Jr.

• Accused

In the Diocese of Erie’s April 6, 2018 disclosures, Charles A. Sheets Jr. was listed among priests, lay employees, and volunteers identified as credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. He later died in Sumterville, Florida on October 25, 2009. His inclusion reflected a diocesan determination made after review of historical allegations.

Carmel Skeabeck

• Accused

In October 2018, public disclosure identified Sister of St. Joseph Carmel Skeabeck as credibly accused in connection with abuse allegations. The allegation described repeated sexual abuse of a student during the late 1950s while she served within the Diocese of Erie’s sphere of Catholic institutions. Her inclusion marked one of the cases involving a member of a women’s religious order rather than diocesan clergy.

Samuel B. Slocum

• Convicted

A criminal investigation in 2011 led to the arrest of Samuel B. Slocum after an inappropriate relationship allegation involving a 15-year-old boy. He admitted to police that he had inappropriate relationships with boys, and he was found guilty of concealment of the whereabouts of a child and corruption of minors. The case became a public reference point during later statewide reviews and disclosures.

Thomas E. Smith

• Settled

By 1984, diocesan leadership was aware of an allegation involving a 17-year-old boy connected to Thomas E. Smith. He later admitted to sexually abusing at least 15 boys, with reported victims as young as age 7. In 2002, he was suspended following a report describing abuse of a boy ages 10 to 12 during 1968 to 1970, and later matters were resolved through settlement.

Thomas Snyderwine

• Accused

The August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report publicly identified Monsignor Thomas Snyderwine as accused. His roles included parish assignments, pastoral leadership, and educational work at DuBois Central Catholic and Cathedral Preparatory School, alongside service on the Presbyteral Council. His inclusion reflected allegations tied to his period of ministry and institutional leadership.

Daniel J. Taylor

• Accused

Ordained for the Diocese of Erie, Daniel J. Taylor was later assigned to ministry in the Diocese of Tucson. In 1999, Tucson placed him on leave after learning of allegations tied to conduct during his earlier period in Erie. The action reflected an inter-diocesan response to allegations that followed him across jurisdictions.

John (Jack) Tome

• Accused

A later diocesan disclosure identified John Tome, known as Jack, as accused in connection with allegations of repeated sexual abuse of six siblings, reported as occurring while he was in seminary and presenting himself as a deacon. He left or failed out of seminary, and his name appeared on the Diocese of Erie list updated in January 2023.

Patrick B. Vallimont

• Accused

In the mid-1970s, Patrick B. Vallimont underwent hospitalization for severe depression. In 1977, he was laicized after disclosing a brief sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl. The outcome formally removed him from clerical status and reflected a documented disclosure tied to his ministry period.

Diocese of Greensburg PA

Leonard J. Bealko

• Sued

Civil litigation accused Leonard J. Bealko of sexually abusing an altar boy repeatedly over a four-year period ending in 1978, beginning when the boy was 12. In 1988, Bealko was charged in an incident involving firing a gun at a 22-year-old housemate. He was later dismissed by multiple churches, reflecting repeated institutional severance following allegations and criminal proceedings.

Michael Bienia

• Accused

In an August 18, 2005 disclosure process, the Diocese of Greensburg identified Michael Bienia as credibly accused. His name appeared within the diocese’s published list as part of its accountability disclosures. Bienia died in 2005, placing the disclosure and the end of his life within the same year.

Joseph E. Bonafed

• Accused

As pastor of Holy Family in West Newton and St. Edward in Herminie, Joseph E. Bonafed was suspended after an allegation of sexual abuse dating back 28 years. A canonical investigation later deemed the allegation unsubstantiated, yet the matter resulted in administrative action and continued reference in public accountability contexts tied to diocesan handling of historical allegations.

James W. Clark

• Accused

Following receipt of an allegation of abuse, the Diocese of Greensburg suspended James W. Clark. He was later included on the diocese’s public list of credibly accused clergy, with his name appearing in the August 2018 disclosure framework. The sequence reflects allegation receipt, administrative removal, and later public listing as part of diocesan accountability reporting.

Dennis F. Dellamalva

• Settled

In allegations involving two teen brothers and their friend, Dennis F. “Denny” Dellamalva was accused of sexual abuse and was sent to Spencer Abbey in Massachusetts for treatment. Civil suits by the families were resolved through a $375,000 settlement in 1986. He later died in 1994 from complications related to AIDS, closing the timeline after the settlement period.

Gregory Flohr

• Accused

Within the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report, Gregory Flohr was identified as accused of sexual abuse involving an altar boy and parish school student. The allegation described abuse beginning when the boy was 10 or 11. His inclusion in the report connected him to broader statewide findings addressing clergy assignments, victim ages, and institutional responses across decades.

Mark F. X. Gruber

• Accused

Academic work preceded Mark F. X. Gruber’s clerical restrictions. While serving as a professor, pornography was discovered on his work computer, prompting removal from ministry and an order to reside in a monastery under supervision. Gruber filed a defamation lawsuit against the college connected to the findings but later withdrew the case, leaving the ministerial ban in place.

Charles B. Guth

• Accused

Public identification followed the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, which named Monsignor Charles B. Guth as accused. A man reported that Guth sexually abused him in West Newton when he was approximately seven years old. The allegation placed Guth among Greensburg clergy later listed as credibly accused through statewide disclosure processes.

Andrew M. Kawecki

• Guilty plea

Administrative leave began in May 2019 for Andrew M. Kawecki after an allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor from roughly fifteen years earlier. He was arrested in August 2020, entered a guilty plea, and received a state prison sentence of two and a half to five years, formally ending his clerical service.

Francis M. Lesniak

• Settled

Multiple allegations were raised against Francis M. Lesniak involving abuse of boys during altar boy activities. One claim described fondling of a 13-year-old during a sleepover, resolved through a $5,000 settlement and counseling. Another account detailed abuse over four years beginning when a boy was seven or eight, later addressed through civil resolution.

Raymond Lukac

• Accused

Statewide disclosures identified Raymond Lukac as accused, noting earlier criminal convictions tied to abuse of teenage girls during the 1950s while assigned in the Greensburg diocese. Records also indicate he impregnated a 17-year-old girl in 1956 and was removed from a high school position in Hammond, Indiana, in 1961.

Henry J. Marcinek

• Settled

Allegations against Henry J. Marcinek described repeated sexual abuse from approximately 1972 into the early 1980s, occurring at a rectory, a private cabin, and during trips. The complainant reported oral sexual acts over several years. The matter concluded with a $10,000 settlement and provision of counseling services.

Stanley Markiewicz

• Accused

Early public identification in 2002 named Stanley Markiewicz as credibly accused of sexually abusing minors at St. Vincent’s Preparatory School. His inclusion preceded later statewide disclosures and placed his conduct within a cluster of institutional abuse findings involving Catholic educational settings.

Michael W. Matusak

• Accused

Monsignor Michael W. Matusak was suspended in August 2018 following an allegation of sexual abuse. In March 2019, a second allegation emerged involving stalking and harassment of a girl. The combined reports resulted in continued removal from ministry while diocesan authorities reviewed the allegations.

Robert Moslener

• Accused

The August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report publicly identified Robert Moslener as accused. He was also included on the Diocese of Greensburg’s list of credibly accused clergy later that month. Moslener had served as pastor at several parishes between 1992 and 1996 before disclosure.

John J. Nyeste

• Accused

An allegation against John J. Nyeste described sexual abuse of an 11-year-old altar boy at St. Emery’s Parish in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Nyeste’s clerical work spanned assignments in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. He died on May 19, 1987, with the allegation reported years later.

Fabian G. Oris

• Accused

Multiple reports were made regarding Fabian G. Oris. One woman stated he sexually abused her and her older sister during childhood by inviting them to stay overnight in the rectory and sharing his bed. In 2014, another woman reported that Oris kissed her on the mouth when she was 10 or 11.

Emil Payer

• Accused

Allegations against Emil Payer involved abuse of multiple minors and vulnerable adults during the 1980s. Payer denied the abuse allegations but later pleaded guilty to theft charges. The abuse claims were included in Greensburg diocesan reviews addressing historical misconduct.

George R. Pierce

• Settled

A woman reported that George R. Pierce sexually abused her from ages 12 to 20, beginning in 1968 while he served at St. Gertrude’s Parish in Aultman. She filed a civil lawsuit in 1997, which concluded with a $30,000 settlement resolving the claim.

Gregory F. Premoshis

• Settled

Gregory F. Premoshis was accused of sexually abusing a male student aged 16 to 17 at Geibel High School between 1980 and 1982. He was removed from his position as school president, retired from ministry, and permanently barred from public clerical service following civil settlement of the allegations.

Leonard Sanesi

• Accused

Statewide investigation results first publicly named Leonard Sanesi as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was subsequently included on the Diocese of Greensburg’s list of credibly accused clergy, reflecting diocesan confirmation following review.

Roger A. Sinclair

• Convicted

Internal diocesan knowledge in September 1980 documented abuse of two 14-year-old boys attributed to Roger A. Sinclair. Despite awareness, no immediate action was taken at the time. Subsequent criminal proceedings later resulted in conviction, bringing the earlier inaction into public scrutiny.

Joseph L. Sredzinski

• Sued

Public disclosure in 2018 identified Joseph L. Sredzinski as accused through both the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and the Greensburg diocesan list. Allegations described rape and repeated sexual abuse of a boy from 1991 to 1997, beginning when the boy was 11. Civil litigation followed these disclosures.

John Thomas Sweeney

• Convicted

Criminal prosecution resulted in John Thomas Sweeney receiving a prison sentence ranging from 11 months to five years. The conviction stemmed from allegations that he performed oral sex on a 10-year-old boy during 1991 and 1992. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Joseph A. Tamilowski

• Sued

A man reported that Joseph A. Tamilowski touched him inappropriately during the 1960s. He later stated that he informed a diocesan office manager years before 2002, only to be advised not to pursue the matter. The allegation later surfaced in civil proceedings against the diocese.

Herman F. Ubinger

• Accused

Herman F. Ubinger served in the Diocese of Greensburg during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was credibly accused of sexually abusing multiple minors between 1966 and 1971 while assigned to parish ministry. The allegations involved repeated misconduct over several years and were later substantiated through diocesan review processes. Ubinger died in 1997, and the findings were incorporated into diocesan and statewide disclosures released decades later.

Roger J. Trott

• Convicted

Roger J. Trott was criminally charged in 1987 after allegations that he sexually abused at least 12 boys. The charges included repeated rape of a 10-year-old altar boy beginning in 1973. Trott was convicted and sentenced to five years of probation, mandatory treatment, and a $10,000 fine. His case became one of the clearer examples of criminal adjudication among Greensburg clergy abuse cases.

Charles A. Weber

• Accused

Charles A. Weber served in the Diocese of Greensburg and was first publicly named as accused in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He was subsequently included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy following internal review. The allegations involved sexual abuse of minors during his period of ministry. Weber died in 2000, and the allegations became public only after statewide investigative reporting.

Diocese of Harrisburg PA

Alexander Dario Agudelo Cano

• Accused

Listed in the Diocese of Harrisburg’s August 1, 2018 disclosure of clergy accused since 1940, Alexander Dario Agudelo Cano was identified as a seminarian accused of sexual abuse of a child. The listing noted that he was not ordained at the time of the allegation and remained alive when the disclosure was published. No ministerial assignment followed the allegation.

Francis Allen II

• Accused

Decades after the alleged conduct, reports emerged involving Francis Allen II. One woman reported sexual abuse of her son during the 1970s, and a second woman came forward in 1994 with a separate allegation. Allen died in 2011, with the allegations later incorporated into diocesan reviews of historical abuse.

John G. Allen

• Convicted

Over a period spanning the late 1970s through the 1990s, John G. Allen was accused of abusing multiple boys. He was arrested in 1992 for soliciting sex from an undercover police officer. In 2002, after being confronted with credible allegations involving boys aged 14 to 18 beginning around 1979, he resigned from ministry.

Francis Bach

• Accused

Administrative action against Francis Bach began early, with removal from youth ministry in 1967. He took a six-month leave in 1976, returned to ministry, and retired at age 54 in 1994. Bach later admitted to raping and sexually abusing 14 children between the ages of 14 and 16, a disclosure documented through diocesan records.

Luis Jesus Barajas Arias

• Guilty plea

Assigned to assist Spanish-speaking communities in York and Lebanon, Luis Jesus Barajas Arias was named on the Harrisburg diocese’s August 1, 2018 list and included in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released August 14, 2018. At age 76, he entered a guilty plea in a criminal case tied to sexual abuse, resulting in removal from ministry.

James W. Beeman

• Accused

Serving as a pastor, James W. Beeman was accused of sexually abusing girls, including victims as young as six years old. Records indicate that the Vatican declined a request to laicize him despite the seriousness of the allegations. His case later appeared in diocesan accountability disclosures.

Michael X. Bennett

• Accused

Public identification occurred in April 2020 when the Diocese of Harrisburg listed Michael X. Bennett as accused. He was removed from public ministry following the disclosure. Bennett died in December 2020, several months after his inclusion on the diocesan list.

John P. Bolen

• Accused

Longtime pastor of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Conewago Township, Monsignor John P. Bolen died on July 7, 1966. Allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced after his death, and his name was included in the Diocese of Harrisburg’s list released August 1, 2018.

John Raymond Bostwick III

• Accused

Allegations against John Raymond Bostwick III involved sexual abuse of a boy in Harrisburg and an attempted assault of a 14- to 15-year-old boy in Virginia during the summer of 1987. His name later appeared on the Diocese of Richmond’s list released February 13, 2019, reflecting cross-jurisdictional disclosure.

Frederick R. Bradel

• Accused

Beginning in 1958, Frederick R. Bradel served as principal of Holy Family School in Harrisburg and administrator of the parish. He died in 1997. Allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a child over several years surfaced posthumously and were included on the Harrisburg diocesan list released August 1, 2018.

Joseph A. Bradley

• Accused

Monsignor Joseph A. Bradley was added to diocesan lists of accused clergy after his death. The disclosure identified him among individuals alleged to have engaged in child sexual abuse during their period of ministry, with no criminal proceedings initiated before his death.

Martin T. Brown

• Accused

Public disclosure in April 2020 identified Martin T. Brown as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg. His last recorded assignment in the Official Catholic Directory placed him at St. Joseph’s in Milton during 1977 and 1978. He was deceased at the time of disclosure.

Ronald Chiasson

• Accused

A man reported to the Pennsylvania Attorney General that Ronald Chiasson sexually abused him beginning in the 1970s when he was a 12-year-old altar boy at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Harrisburg. Chiasson died on April 22, 1999, with the allegation later documented in statewide investigations.

Donald W. Cramer

• Accused
  

Donald W. Cramer appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg’s list released August 1, 2018, and in a grand jury report issued August 14, 2019. He was formally dispensed from the priesthood in November 2014 following review of allegations tied to his ministry.

Patrick A. D’Alessandro

• Accused

Ordained at age 57, Patrick A. D’Alessandro was later accused of sexual abuse of a child. The allegation surfaced after his death and was included in diocesan disclosures addressing historical abuse allegations against clergy.

John A. Rocco

• Accused

Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1978, John A. Rocco served at St. Joseph’s in Mechanicsburg, St. Pius X in Selinsgrove, and St. Jude’s in Mifflintown. He died on August 26, 2002. His name was publicly listed as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg in April 2020.

Philip DeChico

• Accused

Philip DeChico served as principal at several high schools and worked in parish administration. Allegations of sexual abuse of a child emerged after his death, leading to his inclusion in diocesan disclosures of accused clergy.

Raymond E. Dougherty

• Sued

Civil claims alleged that Raymond E. Dougherty sexually abused a child during the early 1960s. Dougherty was deceased at the time the lawsuit was filed, and the allegations were addressed through civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.

Joseph H. Driscoll

• Accused

Joseph H. Driscoll served as a Navy chaplain during his clerical career. Allegations of sexual abuse of a child were raised after his death, and his name was later included in diocesan and statewide records of accused clergy.

Paul R. Fisher

• Accused

Paul R. Fisher admitted to visiting websites that possibly contained images of unclothed minors. A federal investigation determined that no criminal images were present. Despite the finding, the admission was recorded within diocesan reviews of misconduct allegations.

Vincent J. Smith

• Accused

Monsignor Vincent J. Smith was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg in April 2020. He died on February 11, 2020, shortly before the disclosure was released.

Joseph G. Gotwalt

• Accused

Public accountability disclosures released in April 2020 identified Monsignor Joseph G. Gotwalt as accused. He had died on April 22, 1988, with allegations surfacing long after his death.

Lawrence C. Gross

• Accused

Named publicly as accused in April 2020, Lawrence C. Gross died on March 24, 2009. His obituary referenced a long involvement with Boy and Girl Scouting beginning in 1939, a detail later scrutinized following disclosure of abuse allegations.

Stanislaus J. Grondziowski

• Accused

The Diocese of Harrisburg publicly named Stanislaus J. Grondziowski as accused in April 2020. He died on August 21, 1994. The allegation was identified through retrospective review of historical records.

Donald Hackman

• Convicted

Ordained as a permanent deacon, Donald Hackman was convicted in federal court for sending child sexual abuse material. Assigned to St. James Parish in Lititz from 1983 to 2000, he was included on the diocesan list released August 1, 2018, and in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report issued August 14, 2018.

Joseph Hager

• Accused

Serving for 36 years as pastor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Lebanon, Monsignor Joseph Hager retired in 1976 and died on April 6, 1992. Allegations of child sexual abuse were reported after his death and included in the diocese’s August 1, 2018 disclosure.

Thomas Ronald Haney

• Accused

Thomas Ronald Haney, a prolific writer, homilist, and educator, was accused of inappropriate touching and comments toward a child. He died on June 16, 2012. Subsequent allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced after his death and were included in diocesan listings.

William T. Haviland

• Accused

Serving in multiple parish assignments, William T. Haviland was accused of sexual abuse of a child. He died in 2017 and was buried at Elysburg Cemetery. The allegation was recorded during diocesan review of historical misconduct.

John Herber

• Accused

A member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, John Herber appeared in diocesan directories in Toledo, Ohio in 1989 and 2012. He was included in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, which documented allegations of sexual abuse during his ministry.

Philip A. Hower

• Accused

While studying as a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio in 1985, Philip A. Hower later filed a civil RICO lawsuit in 2004 against church institutions. He claimed retaliation for reporting misconduct by other clergy. His name later appeared in diocesan disclosures related to abuse allegations.

Francis Hudak

• Accused

Monsignor Francis Hudak served in numerous parish assignments across Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, and Shamokin. He died on August 20, 2005. Allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced after his death, leading to his inclusion on the August 1, 2018 diocesan list.

Kevin L. Kayda

• Accused

Kevin L. Kayda was accused of inappropriate online interactions with minors and of visiting child pornography websites. At age 27, he died by suicide after writing multiple notes. The allegations were documented in diocesan records addressing misconduct involving minors.

Joseph F. Klespis

• Accused

Public disclosure in April 2020 identified Joseph F. Klespis as accused. He had already been laicized for unrelated reasons when the diocese received the allegations. After leaving the priesthood following nearly 25 years of service, he married and later died on January 17, 2020, at age 95.

George J. Koychick

• Accused

Allegations of child sexual abuse involving George J. Koychick from the 1970s were deemed credible by the diocese in 2003. He was subsequently forbidden from functioning as a priest, formalizing his removal from ministerial duties.

Victor Kriley

• Accused

Victor Kriley was named as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg in April 2020. At the time of disclosure, a church bulletin described him as sick or homebound and in need of prayer, reflecting his inactive status.

Thomas J. Kujovsky

• Accused

Monsignor Thomas J. Kujovsky pastored several parishes and served as principal of Holy Spirit School in Mount Carmel. He was accused of involvement with pornography; however, the district attorney determined the material did not meet criminal thresholds. The allegation was nonetheless recorded in diocesan disclosures.

Kevin Labuda

• Accused

Kevin Labuda was accused of sexually abusing a child and later of assaulting a priest with an ax handle while employed as a business manager at a parish in the Diocese of Greensburg. His conduct was documented across diocesan records addressing both abuse and violent misconduct.

Thomas F. Lawler

• Accused

Multiple allegations were reported against Thomas F. Lawler involving sexual abuse of boys throughout his priesthood. One man stated that Lawler molested him at age 10 in 1963. The pattern of allegations was later incorporated into diocesan accountability disclosures.

George V. Lentocha

• Accused

Monsignor George V. Lentocha was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg in April 2020. He died on May 26, 1997. The allegation surfaced through retrospective review of clergy files.

Robert Logue

• Accused

A 13-year-old boy and his father reported inappropriate communications by Robert Logue involving a child. Logue reportedly acknowledged his tendencies during the investigation. The allegation was recorded in diocesan misconduct reviews.

Arthur J. Long

• Accused

Arthur J. Long appeared on multiple disclosure lists for inappropriate sexual behavior, including soliciting a child and engaging in sexual activity with an adult that began when the individual was a child. He was removed from ministry and sent to treatment facilities, including Guest House and St. Luke’s Institute.

David H. Luck

• Accused

Serving as a deacon at St. Paul’s Parish in Annville, David H. Luck was accused of abusing his sons. He was removed from ministry in 1990 and later worked as a caseworker for York County Human Services.

Robert J. Maher

• Accused

Monsignor Robert J. Maher held senior diocesan roles, including Superintendent of Diocesan Schools and member of the Examiners of Clergy. He was accused of sexually abusing at least 15 boys at St. Vincent’s in Hanover, with allegations spanning years of educational leadership.

Daniel Joseph Mahoney

• Accused

Daniel Joseph Mahoney died on July 4, 2007, at age 80. Allegations of sexual abuse of a child were later attributed to him and included in diocesan disclosures addressing historical cases.

Guy D. Marsico

• Accused

In 1982, a man reported that Guy D. Marsico sexually abused him at age 13. The diocese removed Marsico from active ministry without privileges and paid for therapy and medication for the complainant, while declining to provide a civil settlement.

Anthony J. McGinley

• Accused

Anthony J. McGinley appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg’s list released August 1, 2018. He retired from ministry in 1987, lived in central Pennsylvania, and died on August 12, 2006.

Ibarra C. Mercado

• Accused

Ibarra C. Mercado was accused of French kissing a 12-year-old girl at the Lebanon Veterans Administration Hospital during the early 1990s. The allegation was documented in diocesan records of misconduct involving minors.

Francis T. Menei

• Accused

Francis T. Menei was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Harrisburg in April 2020. He died on June 6, 2019. The allegation was recorded through diocesan review of historical abuse cases.

Neil J. Murphy

• Accused

During a review of historical assignments, allegations were recorded against Neil J. Murphy after his death. He served at St. Rose of Lima in York between 1958 and 1961 and died prior to any public disclosure. His name appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018. The diocese indicated the allegation involved sexual abuse of a child and surfaced posthumously, with no criminal or civil proceedings initiated due to his death.

James E. Noel

• Accused

Posthumous allegations were associated with James E. Noel following a diocesan audit of older cases. He died in 1980 and had been assigned to St. Mary’s in Lebanon during the late 1950s and early 1960s. His inclusion on the August 1, 2018 diocesan list reflects an allegation of child sexual abuse reported after his death, with no record of legal action during his lifetime.

Lawrence R. Overbaugh

• Accused

A long clerical career preceded the later disclosure involving Lawrence R. Overbaugh. He served as a parish priest, high school chaplain and principal, Boy Scouts chaplain, and held multiple chancery roles. Identified publicly on the Diocese of Harrisburg’s April 2020 list, he died on February 23, 2008. The diocese did not release specifics regarding the allegation, which was reviewed after his death.

Joseph M. Pease

• Accused

Concerns dating back to 1972 were eventually formalized in the case of Joseph M. Pease. Despite an early allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, he remained in ministry until 2002, when a credible accusation led to removal. Two additional men later reported abuse. As of 2007, a Vatican determination had not been issued, and no criminal conviction is recorded in public summaries.

Charles Procopio

• Accused

While assigned to Sacred Heart of Jesus in Harrisburg, Charles Procopio was accused of molesting seventh- and eighth-grade girls. Despite the allegations, he remained in ministry and retired in 1995. His name appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018. The public record reflects no criminal prosecution connected to the reported abuse.

Guido Miguel Quiroz Reyes

• Accused

Assignments within Spanish-speaking ministries marked the early career of Guido Miguel Quiroz Reyes. He served in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1980 before relocating to El Paso, Texas, and later Victoria, Texas, where he died in 2008. His inclusion on diocesan disclosure lists reflects an allegation of sexual abuse of a child, with no public record of adjudication.

Stephen M. Rolko

• Accused

At the time of his death on December 4, 1993, Stephen M. Rolko was pastor of Holy Trinity in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Allegations of child sexual abuse were reported after his death and later reviewed by the diocese. His name appears on public disclosure lists without accompanying details regarding dates, locations, or legal proceedings.

James Rush

• Accused

Two women reported inappropriate behavior by deacon James Rush that the diocese determined crossed boundary lines. Following confrontation, he retired from ministry. The diocese characterized the conduct as grooming rather than abuse, and no criminal charges were filed. His case remains documented within diocesan records addressing misconduct involving minors.

Thomas A. Scala

• Accused

Ministerial roles in healthcare and parish settings framed Thomas A. Scala’s service, including work as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster and St. Columba in Bloomsburg. Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor later led to his inclusion on diocesan disclosure lists. Public summaries provide limited detail regarding the timing or context of the reported misconduct.

Bryan Schlager

• Accused

While studying as a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 2010, Bryan Schlager was accused of inappropriate communications with several children. His name appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018, and in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He did not proceed to ordination, and no criminal outcome is noted in public summaries.

Herbert J. Shank

• Accused

Historical complaints involving Herbert J. Shank led to treatment at the Institute of Living in 1994 for allegations of sexual abuse of boys. He was later included on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018, and referenced in the 2019 Pennsylvania Grand Jury materials. Public records do not indicate criminal charges resulting from the allegations.

Walter A. Sempko

• Sued

Civil litigation filed in July 2019 accused Walter A. Sempko and Rev. Raymond Dougherty of repeatedly raping a man during the early 1960s while he served as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s. Sempko died on October 2, 2017, at age 94. The lawsuit proceeded posthumously, with allegations centered on repeated abuse over several years.

Timothy Sperber

• Accused

An allegation reported in 2004 stated that Timothy Sperber sexually abused a nine- to ten-year-old girl around 1979. He had already gone on leave in 1998 and formally left the priesthood in 2000. No public criminal disposition is recorded, but the allegation remains documented in diocesan disclosures.

Carl J. Steffen

• Accused

Warnings regarding inappropriate sexual talk toward minors surfaced repeatedly in Carl J. Steffen’s record, beginning as early as 1966 and again in 2003 and 2009. His name appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018, and in the April 5, 2023 Maryland Attorney General Report, reflecting concerns spanning several decades.

John J. Suknaic

• Accused

John J. Suknaic died on October 10, 2004, at age 82, before allegations of child sexual abuse were formally reviewed. His name was included on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018. The diocese noted the allegation emerged after his death, with no associated criminal or civil proceedings.

Francis J. Taylor

• Accused

Involvement in diocesan communications and media initiatives characterized Francis J. Taylor’s service, including work with radio, television, and evangelization efforts. He died in 1997. Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor were later reviewed and documented by the diocese, though specific details were not publicly disclosed.

John Tokarick Jr.

• Accused

As a seminarian, John Tokarick Jr. was accused of sexually abusing a child prior to ordination. His name appeared on the Diocese of Harrisburg list released August 1, 2018. No further ministerial assignments or legal outcomes are reflected in public summaries.

James Vecera

• Accused

James Vecera served as a deacon before his death in 1987. Allegations of sexual abuse of a child surfaced after his death and were later included on the diocesan disclosure list issued August 1, 2018. The diocese provided no indication of legal action associated with the claim.

Cletus H. Wagman

• Accused

Monsignor Cletus H. Wagman was publicly identified as accused on the Diocese of Harrisburg’s April 2020 list. He died on July 15, 2001. The allegation was reviewed retrospectively, and no criminal or civil case is noted in public records tied to his name.

Frederick J. Vaughn

• Accused

Multiple allegations involving sexual abuse of young girls were acknowledged by the Diocese of Harrisburg in 2016 concerning Frederick J. Vaughn. He was named on the diocesan list released August 1, 2018, and included in the August 14, 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. Public disclosures reflect repeated complaints rather than a single incident.

Salvatore V. Zangari

• Accused

Beginning as a parish priest, Salvatore V. Zangari became an Army chaplain in 1951 and later served in educational settings. The diocese received allegations in 1980 and again in 1986 describing unwanted sexual misconduct toward adult women, leading to his referral to St. Luke’s Institute for evaluation in 1986. During this period, Zangari admitted to fathering a child with a former high school student. A 2002 episcopal review of the 1986 evaluation stated it showed full proof of sexual misconduct with minors, after which his faculties were removed. Zangari died on 9/23/2004. His name appeared on the diocesan list released 8/1/2018 and in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.

Richard Zumpino

• Accused

Public identification of Richard Zumpino occurred during the Diocese of Harrisburg’s April 2020 disclosure of clergy accused of sexual abuse. The diocese did not release details regarding the timing, location, or nature of the allegation, and no assignments were specified in the summary. At the time of publication, Zumpino was believed to be deceased. His inclusion reflects a retrospective review of allegations evaluated under diocesan standards rather than criminal adjudication.

Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

Alvin J. Adams

• Accused

Following an allegation of sexual abuse, he was removed from his parish assignment and his role as chaplain at Bishop Canevin High School. Church authorities permanently restricted him to supervised ministry, assigning him to serve as a convent chaplain. No return to parish ministry was permitted after the restriction was imposed, and his ministerial activities remained limited for the remainder of his service.

James R. Adams

• Accused

An allegation surfaced when a man told a priest that Adams sexually assaulted him during the 1970s, when the victim was between eight and twelve years old. Adams was sent for treatment at St. Michael’s Community in St. Louis, Missouri, but departed before completing the program. No subsequent reassignment or reinstatement was recorded following his departure from treatment.

James L. Armstrong

• Accused

By 1990, diocesan officials were aware that Armstrong was giving homeless boys in Pittsburgh drugs, alcohol, and money in exchange for sexual acts. He was placed on leave from ministry in 1991. Despite the earlier removal, Armstrong later returned to active ministry in 2007, following a period during which the allegations remained part of his record.

John M. Bauer

• Accused

Public identification first occurred through the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report released on August 14, 2018. Earlier, in October 2013, a man told the diocese that Bauer and another priest provided alcohol to him and other boys and engaged them in sexual conversations, including discussions about masturbation. Bauer remained listed among clergy with substantiated allegations.

Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua

• Sued

A woman filed a civil claim alleging that Cardinal Thomas Keating groped her chest behind a partition in a school lunchroom. She also alleged sexual abuse by priests Lawrence O’Connell and Edward Huff in the same context. The lawsuit named Bevilacqua in connection with the institutional handling of the allegations rather than direct acts attributed to him.

Jerome Binder

• Accused

Binder held assignments at high schools in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh over the course of his ministry. He later faced criminal trial in Australia on child abuse allegations. During that period, the Diocese of Pittsburgh sought information about other potential victims connected to Binder’s earlier assignments, including individuals who may have had contact with him while he served in Pennsylvania.

Anthony G. Bosco

• Accused

Serving as Bishop of Greensburg, Bosco was accused of inappropriately touching a nursing student during the late 1960s. The allegation became public years later and remained unresolved through criminal proceedings. Bosco died in February 2013, with the accusation recorded as part of his historical record but without further disciplinary action noted prior to his death.

John E. Brueckner

• Accused

A man reported to diocesan authorities that Brueckner sexually abused him as a child at St. Joseph’s Church in New Kensington. The alleged abuse occurred sometime between 1947 and 1951. The disclosure emerged decades later, adding Brueckner’s name to clergy identified with historical allegations involving minors during mid-century parish assignments.

Leo R. Burchianti

• Settled

Publicly accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released August 14, 2018, he was also included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy. In 1980, he admitted to all allegations except those specifically concerning abuse. He was removed from ministry in January 2003, died in 2013, and a civil claim was settled in April 2020.

Robert J. Castelucci

• Settled

Castelucci was accused of sexually abusing boys between the ages of thirteen and seventeen during the 1970s and of abusing a seventeen-year-old boy in Ohio in 1999. He was named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report released August 14, 2018, and was added to the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy on January 29, 2018.

Mauro J. Cautela

• Settled
  

Placed on leave in August 2005, Cautela was removed after a young man reported that he had been sexually abused. He was later named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. Church authorities included him on the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy, and the associated civil matters were resolved through settlement.

Robert J. Cedolia

• Acquitted

Cedolia was placed on leave in August 2019 following an allegation that he sexually abused an eight-year-old boy in 1998. The case proceeded to trial, where he was found not guilty in November 2022. Following the verdict, the criminal charge concluded without conviction, marking the final legal outcome of the allegation.

Charles J. Chatt

• Settled

Chatt admitted to sexually abusing a seventh or eighth grade boy in 1970 or 1971 and acknowledged sexual relationships with five other youths during the 1970s. Numerous individuals later reported abuse, including an allegation involving a six-year-old girl. One or two civil suits were filed in 2004, and he was named in the 2018 Grand Jury Report.

John R. Chess

• Accused

Chess was publicly identified as an accused priest sometime after the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report in 2018. The disclosure occurred posthumously, as he had died in 2011. His name was added to diocesan records of clergy facing allegations of sexual abuse involving minors during his period of active ministry.

Anthony J. Cipolla

• Settled

A woman reported to police that Cipolla sexually abused her sons, aged nine and twelve, followed by an allegation in 1988 that he abused a boy aged thirteen to seventeen. He was suspended and sent to St. Luke’s for evaluation but refused recommended treatment at St. John Vianney Center. Civil matters connected to the allegations were later settled.

Paul R. Coyle

• Accused

Holding the title of monsignor, Coyle was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2019. The allegation surfaced long after his death in 1991. Diocesan disclosure placed him among clergy with substantiated claims, although no disciplinary action occurred during his lifetime due to the posthumous nature of the accusation.

John David Crowley

• Accused

In 1992, a mother reported that Crowley sexually abused her and her twin daughters. The diocese resigned him from ministry in 2002, and in 2004 the Vatican confirmed that he was to remain in retirement with no public ministry. His status remained restricted through ecclesiastical authority following the disciplinary determinations.

Bernard B. Costello

• Accused

Costello was removed from ministry in 2018 after allegations of sexual abuse were reviewed and deemed credible by the diocesan review board. The determination led to his permanent removal from active service. No reinstatement followed, and the allegations were recorded as substantiated within diocesan disciplinary records.

Rosendo F. Dacal

• Convicted

Ordained as a permanent deacon in 2011, Dacal was assigned to ministries in Etna and the Allegheny County Jail. He was later suspended and pleaded guilty to sending and soliciting obscene images from an undercover police officer. The conviction resulted in his removal from ministerial assignments and concluded with criminal penalties under applicable law.

Charles E. Demblowski

• Accused

Ordained for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Demblowski retired to West Virginia in 1985. Decades later, he was named publicly as accused in late 2018 as part of diocesan disclosures following the Pennsylvania Grand Jury investigation. His name was included among clergy identified with allegations of sexual abuse involving minors.

Ferdinand B. Demsher

• Accused

At least four individuals came forward with allegations against Demsher, including one man who stated he was molested at ages thirteen to fourteen during 1975 and 1976 at St. Mary of the Assumption. Another reported fondling when he was between ten and eleven years old. The allegations established a pattern across multiple victims and years.

Myles Eric Diskin

• Sued

Diskin served as head of the diocesan Worship Office when he was placed on leave in April 2002. He was accused in three civil lawsuits and withdrew from ministry in March 2003. Allegations included abuse of a boy at St. Paul’s in Butler in the mid-1970s and molestation of a girl during the same period.

John F. Doherty

• Accused

A parish priest who also served as the diocesan Scouting Director, Doherty was named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2019. His inclusion followed diocesan review of allegations involving minors, resulting in formal acknowledgment of the claims within the diocese’s published disclosure list.

Jerome T. Doody

• Indicted

Doody was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh and was later included on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s list on May 19, 2021. His name appeared in multiple diocesan disclosures, reflecting allegations that led to formal legal action and recognition across separate ecclesiastical jurisdictions.

Jason R. Dolan

• Convicted

Dolan was placed on leave in 2005 following concerns about misconduct. He later pleaded guilty to possession of internet child pornography. The conviction concluded with criminal sentencing and permanently ended his eligibility for ministerial service within the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Richard J. Dorsch

• Convicted

Dorsch was accused of sexually abusing a thirteen-year-old boy and received a sentence of eleven and a half to twenty-three months in jail. He was released on parole after one week and returned to St. Luke’s. Additional allegations emerged in 2016 involving abuse at St. Coleman’s between ages ten and twelve, and he was named in the 2018 Grand Jury Report.

James Downs

• Accused

Downs was placed on leave from ministry after an allegation of sexual abuse was made against him. He denied the allegation at the time of removal. The accusation resulted in his suspension from active assignments, with no subsequent reinstatement recorded following the disclosure.

David F. Dzermejko

• Convicted

Removed from the priesthood in 2009 after allegations that he sexually abused a boy between 1979 and 1984, Dzermejko later faced federal charges. In 2013, he was indicted for possession of child pornography and sentenced to three years in prison followed by twelve years of probation, concluding his clerical and legal proceedings.

Ralph J. Esposito

• Settled

Esposito faced allegations of sexual abuse in Pittsburgh and in Little Rock, Arkansas. Multiple claims were brought by victims across jurisdictions. The cases concluded with a global settlement totaling $1.25 million, distributed among thirty-two plaintiffs, resolving the civil litigation connected to his conduct.

Joseph E. Feltz

• Accused

Feltz was placed on leave in November 2018 after an allegation of sexual abuse was reported to the diocese. He remained suspended from ministry until his death on September 26, 2021. The allegation was recorded as part of diocesan disclosures during the broader review of clergy misconduct cases.

John P. Fitzgerald

• Accused

Following allegations of sexual abuse, Fitzgerald was removed from his parish assignment without ministerial privileges and permitted to retire. He was named in a grand jury report and later resided at St. John Vianney Manor. His removal marked the end of his public ministry within the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Henry J. Donabedian

• Accused

Donabedian was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2019. He served as a parish priest and as chaplain from 1949 to 1957 at the Pennsylvania Training Center in Canonsburg, later known as the Youth Development Center. He died in 1966, decades before the allegation became public.

Joseph M. Ganter

• Accused

A man reported that Ganter sexually abused him when he was a ten-year-old altar boy. The allegation was investigated by a Justice of the Peace in 1945. Ganter was later included on the diocese’s list of accused clergy, formally recording the historical allegation within church disclosures.

Cornelius E. Gildea

• Indicted

Named publicly as accused by the diocese in 2022, Gildea faced allegations that were received after his death. He died on May 12, 1994. The posthumous disclosure placed his name among clergy subject to formal acknowledgment of allegations despite the absence of legal proceedings during his lifetime.

John A. Geinzer

• Accused

Geinzer was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and was added to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s list in September 2018. Despite the allegations, the Diocese of Pittsburgh maintained his status as a priest in good standing, asserting no engagement in behavior inconsistent with celibacy.

Richard Ginder

• Convicted

Known formally as Charles Richard Ginder, he served as a diocesan censor and writer. In 1969, he received ten years of probation for child pornography. He was later convicted in 1978 of abusing two youths and was sentenced to up to four years in prison, concluding his clerical career with criminal penalties.

Joseph C. Girdis

• Sued

Girdis was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a twelve-year-old boy who resided at the Holy Family Institute in Emsworth. The allegations led to civil litigation, formally naming him in lawsuits connected to abuse occurring within an institutional residential setting.

James G. Graham

• Accused

The diocese received multiple allegations of sexual abuse against Graham, including one reported by the female partner of an alleged victim who had recently died of a drug overdose. Graham was permanently removed from ministry following the allegations and died in 2015, with the claims remaining part of his clerical record.

Bernard Joseph Hartman

• Convicted

Hartman joined the Marianists in 1958 and worked for many years in Australia before teaching at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh from 1986 to 1997. Accused in 1999, he apologized to a woman that year and later returned to Australia. He was convicted of sustained sexual abuse of a boy and two girls as young as eight.

William Charles Hildebrand

• Accused

In 2014, Hildebrand was accused of abusing students at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, where he worked between 1951 and 1961. The Diocese of Pittsburgh issued written apologies to the Marianists and former students. Hildebrand was included on the Marianists’ list of accused clergy following the disclosure.

John Hoehl

• Sued

Placed on leave in 1986 due to allegations of abuse, Hoehl was sent to Southdown in Canada for treatment before being reassigned and later laicized. Between 2001 and 2004, seven to eight men filed civil lawsuits alleging abuse. In 2007, thirty-two alleged victims reached a settlement with the diocese.

John R. Huber

• Accused

A man told diocesan officials that Huber sexually abused him during childhood. The allegation stated that Huber performed oral sex and then gave the victim twenty dollars. The disclosure resulted in Huber being identified among clergy accused of direct sexual exploitation involving a minor.

Edward G. Huff

• Convicted

In 1992, two families reported that Huff molested their sons, prompting further complaints from several families alleging abuse between 1987 and 1991. In 1994, Huff pleaded guilty to charges of improperly touching multiple youths and providing them alcohol. The guilty plea concluded the criminal proceedings against him.

Marvin Justi

• Accused

In 1969, a woman said Justi was a patient who became aroused while she bathed him and later sent her suggestive letters and notes. In 1982, during another session, he undressed and refused to dress when she attempted to begin. The allegations describe sexually inappropriate conduct tied to a care setting over a multi-year span.

Edward G. Joyce

• Sued

Monsignor Joyce was accused of inappropriately touching a boy between 1966 and 1968. He died in 1969, and his name was later included on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s list of accused clergy. The allegation remained part of the diocesan public record after his death, with the identified time window tied to his period of ministry.

Joseph D. Karabin

• Settled

Multiple allegations were recorded against Karabin across different years, including 1980, 1985, 1991, and 2004. He was named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report released on August 14, 2018. Karabin was also included in the diocese’s September 2007 global settlement of $1.25 million involving thirty-two plaintiffs and allegations against seventeen priests.

Bernard J. Kaczmarczyk

• Accused

Allegations stated he sexually abused three boys aged seventeen, fourteen, and eleven, with reported locations including the rectory of Holy Name of Mary in Donora, Pennsylvania, and his home in Florida. Another priest stated Kaczmarczyk began a sexual relationship with him when he was fifteen. Separately, he was convicted of mail fraud, sentenced to twenty-seven months, and spent $495,000 on a Florida home and other luxuries.

Matthew F. Kebe

• Accused

Born in Austria and educated in Slovenia, Kebe was ordained in 1911 and later served as pastor at Sacred Heart in McKeesport from 1916 to 1934. He then pastored St. Mary’s from 1934 to 1966. His entry is recorded under the Diocese of Pittsburgh as accused, with the known details centered on his background, ordination year, and long pastoral assignments.

John J. Keegan

• Accused

After professing vows in 1945, Keegan worked in Dayton and Hamilton, Ohio, as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Brooklyn, New York. Two brothers came forward in 2014 alleging abuse by Keegan when they were minors at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh between 1957 and 1961. The allegation window is tied to his time connected to that school setting.

William J. Kiefer

• Accused

In 2014, the Diocese of Pittsburgh received a report alleging that at least one boy was abused by Kiefer at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School. The reported time window for the abuse was between 1956 and 1962. The allegation links the conduct to a school assignment spanning multiple academic years within Pittsburgh.

James H. Kline

• Accused

A man came forward in 2014 alleging abuse by a Marianist brother, prompting the Diocese of Pittsburgh to seek information on other possible victims. At least one allegation was connected to Kline in that process. The entry records Kline among Marianist-linked allegations surfaced during the 2014 disclosures and outreach for additional victim identification.

Francis S. Koryak

• Accused

Koryak was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on its list in 2019. He died in 1990. The accusation became part of the diocese’s published record decades after his death, with the entry focusing on the public naming date and the fact of his death rather than a detailed allegation summary.

Henry R. Krawczyk

• Accused

Krawczyk was reprimanded in 1986 and again in 1992 for providing alcohol to minors and making sexual advances toward minors. In 2003, a nineteen-year-old University of Pittsburgh football player fell to his death from the attic of Krawczyk’s church. The entry links disciplinary actions over time with a later fatal incident at the church property.

Edward L. Kryston

• Accused

Kryston was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and was included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2019. He was sent to St. John Vianney Manor to live on February 28, 2002, located near a high school, and he remained there as of November 2011.

Anujit Kumar

• Accused

Kumar, identified as a missionary priest from India, was accused of kissing a female altar server several times using his tongue. The allegation also stated he attempted to recruit her for the convent. The conduct described was tied to his ministry setting and involved direct physical contact and efforts to influence the altar server’s future religious path.

George A. Kurutz

• Accused

A forty-seven-year-old woman told the Diocese of Pittsburgh that Kurutz molested her and her sister during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The allegation spans multiple years and involves two siblings. The disclosure was framed as a report made in adulthood about events said to have occurred during their childhood period in that era.

Hugh J. Lang

• Charges dropped

Retired in 2006, Lang was placed on leave after an allegation that he sexually abused an eleven-year-old altar boy in 2001. He was found guilty at trial and sentenced to nine to twenty-three months and twenty-nine days in prison. The conviction was later overturned, and he was granted a new trial, ending the case status as charges dropped.

George T. Leech

• Sued

Leech was first named publicly as accused through a lawsuit, reported in November 2018. He was later included in October 2022 on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s list of accused clergy. Leech died in 2006, and the public identification occurred posthumously through civil litigation followed by formal diocesan listing.

Richard M. Lelonis

• Accused

In 2018, Lelonis was suspended from ministry after two men told the diocese he abused them as children. He denied the allegations. Lelonis had been assigned to the diocesan Tribunal starting in 1995, and the entry ties the later suspension to disclosures from multiple complainants while noting his long-term internal assignment.

Albert J. Leonard

• Accused

Leonard was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He took a leave of absence in November 1993 and later worked as a licensed counselor. The entry links his identification in the grand jury disclosures to a prior change in professional status and post-ministry employment.

Casimir F. Lewandowski

• Accused

Lewandowski was named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was later included on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s list of accused clergy. The entry reflects formal public identification through the grand jury process followed by diocesan publication, without additional assignment, location, or allegation details specified.

John J. Lukasik

• Sued

Lukasik was accused of fondling an eleven-year-old boy at St. Mary Czestochowa Church in McKeesport. The allegation identifies the parish location and the child’s age at the time of the alleged conduct. The entry records the claim as the basis for civil action, with the misconduct described as direct sexual contact in a church setting.

Edward C. Maliszewski

• Sued

Maliszewski was accused of sexually abusing a boy beginning in the early 1960s and continuing through the boy’s age fifteen. At age fifteen, the boy was a resident of the New Castle Youth Development Center, linking part of the time frame to that placement. The allegation describes a prolonged pattern over several years, tied to the victim’s progression from childhood into adolescence.

John P. Maloney

• Accused

Maloney was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was also listed on the diocese’s list of credibly accused and was placed on leave in January 2004. His faculties were removed in September 2004, marking escalation from leave to formal loss of ministerial authority within the diocese.

Julius F. May

• Accused

In 2014, allegations were made against seven Marianist brothers, including May, connected to North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh during 1960 to 1970. The head of the Marianist Order issued an apology to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and to students. May’s entry is tied to that broader set of school-related allegations and the organizational response.

William J. McCashin

• Sued

McCashin was accused of molesting an eight-year-old boy in 1965. He was also named in the diocese’s 2007 settlement involving thirty-two plaintiffs and allegations against seventeen priests. The entry links the specific allegation year and victim age with his inclusion in the broader settlement resolution reached decades later.

Dominic E. McGee

• Accused

In 2004, a man told the Diocese of Pittsburgh that McGee molested him and his younger brother. The allegation describes abuse involving two siblings and was reported in adulthood. The entry records the disclosure as a direct report to diocesan authorities, without additional assignment details provided for the period of the alleged conduct.

Thomas J. McKenna

• Settled

McKenna was named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and was included in 2019 on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. He withdrew from active ministry in 2004. In 1999, he was diagnosed with ephebophilia, and the civil matters connected to his case were resolved through settlement.

Donald W. McIlvane

• Accused

A forty-three-year-old man told the diocese that McIlvane sexually abused him and then gave him a small amount of money afterward. The diocese later provided the man with a payment of five thousand dollars, stating that the payment was not intended as a settlement related to the allegation. The disclosure focused on the reported conduct and the diocesan response rather than disciplinary outcomes.

Albert McMahon

• Accused

One allegation stated that McMahon sexually abused a girl at St. Pamphilus parish when she was about eleven years old. In 2014, a sixty-three-year-old man also reported being sexually abused by McMahon during childhood. The allegations span different victims and time periods, identifying parish settings connected to the reported abuse.

John H. McMahon

• Accused

A woman reported to the diocese that McMahon sexually abused her between 1969 and 1976 while she was a student at Resurrection Parish School. She also stated that she recalled seeing inappropriate photographs of nude children on his desk during that period. The allegations were tied to his school assignment and repeated conduct over several years.

Francis Meder

• Accused

In 2014, four individuals came forward alleging sexual abuse by Meder, a Marianist priest who worked at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. The disclosures were made decades after the alleged abuse occurred. The diocese stated that it had not received prior reports concerning these allegations before the individuals came forward that year.

Robert L. Mellott

• Accused

Mellott was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2019. He had been removed from ministry in 2005 following concerns related to misconduct. Mellott died in 2008, and the allegation became part of the diocese’s public disclosure list years after his death.

Arthur R. Merrell

• Convicted

Merrell was named publicly in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and was later included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 2019. In 2011, he was charged and later convicted in connection with sexual abuse involving a fourteen-year-old boy, establishing a criminal outcome tied to the allegations.

John C. Miller

• Accused

Serving as a deacon at St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Ross, Miller was suspended from ministry in 2018. The action followed an allegation of inappropriate contact involving a minor reported to have occurred in 2016. The suspension removed him from active ministerial duties pending further review of the allegation.

Cosmas Minster

• Accused

An allegation stated that Minster sexually abused a child in 1942 while assigned to a weekend mission at a parish in Mt. Pleasant. The report connects the alleged abuse to a short-term ministerial assignment rather than a permanent parish role, with the disclosure occurring long after the reported events.

Ralph A. Mravintz

• Convicted

Mravintz, a Marianist brother, was accused of sexually abusing a fifteen-year-old male student. He was not removed from his classroom role at the time because he belonged to a religious order rather than the diocese. The Diocese of Pittsburgh later stated it denied responsibility until an alumnus notified church authorities of the allegation.

Joseph A. Mueller

• Accused

Mueller was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He had been on administrative leave from 1988 until 2003, when he withdrew from active ministry. Mueller died in 2010, several years before his public identification in diocesan disclosures.

Richard J. Mueller

• Accused

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2019, Richard Mueller had already been removed from ministry in 2007. He was identified as the twin brother of accused priest Joseph Mueller. The diocesan listing reflects both the allegation status and the earlier administrative removal.

Anthony J. Muszynski

• Accused

Ordained in 1917, Muszynski served for forty-two years as pastor of St. Ignatius Parish in Carnegie. He died in 1962. Allegations were received after his death, and he was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2022, placing his name on the diocesan disclosure list decades later.

Kenneth E. Myers

• Accused

Myers’ name was quietly added to the diocese’s list of credibly accused clergy in 2019. In 2021, the allegation was categorized as credible and substantiated. He was removed from active ministry following inquiries from parishioners, with the diocesan action tied directly to concerns raised by members of the community.

John J. O’Brien

• Accused

A former Christian Brother, O’Brien was accused of sexually abusing a boy during the mid-1960s. He died in 2004. The allegation became part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s historical record identifying individuals accused of abuse connected to religious education and youth settings.

Lawrence A. O’Connell

• Settled

In 2004, a woman filed a lawsuit alleging that O’Connell sexually abused her as a child at St. Gabriel’s Parish in Whitehall. Three additional women filed similar lawsuits later that same year. O’Connell was named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and the civil claims were resolved through settlement.

Thomas M. O’Donnell

• Accused

Parents raised complaints in 1988 regarding O’Donnell’s behavior with boys around age twelve. He was relieved of his parish assignment by Bishop Wuerl in 2000. In 2005, a school principal reported additional complaints from families. One allegation referenced abuse reported to have occurred during the 1970s involving a thirteen-year-old boy.

William R. O’Brien

• Accused

William O’Brien was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on its disclosure list in 2019. He had died in 1992. The public identification occurred posthumously and did not involve further disciplinary action due to his earlier death.

William P. O’Malley

• Sued

O’Malley was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. The allegations involved sexual abuse of multiple minors during the 1980s and 1990s. He died in 2008, and the claims were pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal proceedings.

Ernest C. Paone

• Accused

Paone was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was transferred from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to dioceses in Los Angeles and later San Diego. He resigned from ministry in 2002 after another allegation involving abuse reported to have occurred in Pennsylvania in 1962 and 1963.

George J. Parme

• Settled

In 2004, a man filed a lawsuit alleging that Parme sexually abused him in 1954 when he was a thirteen-year-old altar boy at St. Aloysius Parish in Wilmerding. Parme died in 2002 at the age of seventy-eight. The civil claim against the diocese was resolved through settlement.

Peter R. Pilarski

• Sued

Pilarski was accused of sexually abusing a minor between 1966 and 1967 while assigned to Resurrection Parish. The allegation involved a youth between the ages of fifteen and sixteen. The claim formed the basis for civil litigation connected to his parish assignment during that period.

Paul E. Pindel

• Sued

Pindel was accused of sexually abusing several boys across multiple decades. Allegations included abuse of students at St. William’s School in the 1950s and 1960s, a CCD student between 1980 and 1984, and other boys aged thirteen to fifteen. The claims describe repeated abuse in parish and school settings over a long time span.

Francis Pucci

• Charged

Pucci was charged with indecent assault and conspiracy, though the charges were later dismissed due to statute of limitations constraints. At least three men alleged that he sexually abused them as boys at a parish in Coraopolis. He was also implicated as part of a group of priests accused of coordinated abuse and exploitation involving minors.

John W. Rebel

• Accused

Parents of an alleged victim stated that their son disclosed years later that he had been sexually abused by Rebel. They recalled that Rebel would drive him home after CCD classes and that the child displayed significant emotional distress, including crying and begging not to attend religious education sessions. The allegation focused on repeated conduct linked to CCD activities.

Edward A. Ricards

• Accused

Ricards was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on its disclosure list in 2019. He died in 1958. The allegation became part of the diocese’s historical accounting of clergy accused of sexual abuse, with no contemporaneous disciplinary record due to his earlier death.

Joseph W. Reschick

• Accused

Reschick was suspended in October 2018 after a report to police alleging sexual abuse of a minor during the mid-1980s. The diocesan action followed the external report and resulted in his removal from active ministry while the allegation was recorded in diocesan disclosures.

Raymond R. Rhoden

• Sued

In 2002, the diocese received a report that Rhoden sexually abused a sixteen- to seventeen-year-old boy. He was placed on leave and sent to the St. Luke Institute for evaluation. On July 5, 2002, Rhoden withdrew from ministry and later retired to Sarasota, Florida. The diocesan actions recorded a rapid shift from leave to withdrawal after the allegation was received.

Carl M. Roemele

• Sued

While assigned to St. William’s, Roemele was accused of sexually abusing four young boys, including three altar boys and a sixth-grade student. A woman also accused him of sexually abusing a ten-year-old boy in 1969 at St. Joseph’s and at a camp setting. He was laicized in 1978, ending his clerical status after the allegations tied to multiple parish assignments.

Michael C. Romero

• Accused

Romero was named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. In 2012, a woman told the Diocese of Pittsburgh that Romero sexually abused her son while he was an altar boy at Immaculate Conception and that Romero provided him alcohol. The allegation linked the conduct to altar service and parish access.

Oswald E. Romero

• Accused

First named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, Romero was later identified through a complaint from a fifty-three-year-old man. The man stated that Romero sexually abused him when he was thirteen to fourteen years old in 1966 or 1967. The allegation places the abuse in the mid-1960s during the complainant’s early adolescence.

David E.F. Scharf

• Accused

Scharf was first named as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was admitted to St. Luke’s Institute for treatment in November 2003. After remaining connected to ministry for years, he was removed from ministry in 2016, with the later removal recorded after the earlier treatment placement.

Richard Scherer

• Accused

Scherer was first named as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. In August 1991, a woman told the diocese that Scherer sexually abused her when they were students at St. Anne’s in Castle Shannon. The allegation ties the conduct to a peer setting, with disclosure occurring decades before public naming.

Raymond T. Schultz

• Sued

Monsignor Schultz was named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. A man told the diocese that Schultz sexually abused him around 1978, when he was both an altar boy and a student at the parish school. The allegation links the reported abuse to Schultz’s access through parish and school roles.

Francis A. Siler

• Sued

In 1972, Siler was transferred to another parish due to sexual problems involving adolescents. In 1974, Bishop Leonard wrote to the House of Affirmation regarding Siler. The record describes internal handling steps that included a transfer and outreach to a treatment-related institution, with the timeline anchored by the 1972 move and the 1974 correspondence.

Rudolph M. Silvers

• Accused

Silvers was publicly named as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and he denied the allegations. He withdrew from active ministry in 2002 and was later included on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s list of credibly accused. The entry connects his withdrawal date with later public disclosure and formal listing.

Edward M. Smith

• Settled

In 2004, a woman sued the diocese and both current and former bishops, alleging that Smith sexually abused her when she sought counseling. The claim centered on a counseling relationship rather than a school or altar setting. The civil matter was resolved through settlement, and the entry records the lawsuit year and the institutional defendants named alongside Smith.

Lawrence R. Smith

• Sued

Smith was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a twelve-year-old boy at the Holy Family Institute. The allegation describes repeated abuse within a residential institutional setting involving a child resident. The claim proceeded through civil litigation, and the entry ties the conduct to the Holy Family Institute location and the child’s age at the time.

Thomas E. Smith

• Accused

Known publicly as the “singing and dancing priest,” Smith was accused of sexually abusing a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old student in 1967. The allegation identifies a mid-1960s time frame and a teenage student victim. Smith died at age ninety, with the accusation remaining part of the historical record tied to his public persona.

James E. Somma

• Settled

In 1988, a woman said she was sexually abused as a child by Somma. In 2002, a man filed a civil suit against him. A grand jury report in 2018 referenced four potential male victims connected to Somma. The record reflects allegations spanning decades and a civil claim, with the case history later expanded through grand jury review.

Bartley A. Sorensen

• Convicted

A St. John Fisher employee saw illegal sexual images involving children on Sorensen’s rectory computer and reported it to the Diocese. Sorensen was arrested, pleaded guilty to a federal indictment, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. The entry records a clear progression from discovery and reporting to arrest, plea, and incarceration under federal sentencing.

Robert E. Spangenberg

• Accused

Spangenberg was accused of sexually abusing at least two minors in Pittsburgh and was moved to Florida in 1989 due to the allegations. A man reported that he had repeated sexual contact with Spangenberg when he was a fifteen- to sixteen-year-old runaway involved in prostitution. The record ties the transfer decision to allegations and later victim disclosure.

Paul G. Spisak

• Accused

Spisak was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, and he was also listed as credibly accused by the diocese. He was sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland for evaluation in November 1998 and remained in ministry afterward. In April 2006, he was arrested for secretly videotaping a man using a urinal.

Vincent Stancelewski

• Accused

Ordained in 1918, Stancelewski held the title of monsignor and served as the founding pastor of SS Philip and James, remaining there for forty-two years. He died in 1964. The Diocese of Pittsburgh named him publicly as accused on its list in 2019, placing the allegation into the public record decades after his death.

Lawrence F. Stebler

• Accused

Stebler was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was accused of sexually abusing an eight- to nine-year-old boy over a period of two to three years during the 1960s. The allegation describes repeated abuse across multiple years with the victim identified as a young child.

James L. Stewart

• Arrested

Stewart was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on its list in 2019. He died in 1952. The record also categorizes his status as arrested, with the public naming occurring long after his death and without additional event details provided in this entry.

Andrew J. Suran

• Sued

In 2004, a woman filed suit alleging that Suran fondled and kissed her when she was eight years old. A second woman filed a separate suit in 2004 alleging that Suran sexually abused her when she was six. The allegations involve two complainants, both tied to early childhood ages, and were pursued through civil litigation.

Charles A. Thomas

• Accused

Monsignor Thomas was accused of sexually abusing a boy at St. Hugh in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, beginning in 1958. The entry also states that a nun at the parish assisted Thomas with some of the abuse. The allegation identifies a parish setting, a start year, and an assisting individual connected to the same location.

Richard Gerard Terdine

• Accused

Terdine was accused of sexually abusing a sixteen-year-old boy who worked part time at St. Peter’s in the rectory in Keesport. He was sent to the St. Luke Institute in Maryland for evaluation. Afterward, he returned under restrictions, serving in limited ministry as a hospital chaplain rather than in a standard parish assignment.

Daniel J. Tisak

• Convicted

A Byzantine Catholic priest on leave from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Tisak was convicted of sexually abusing a twelve-year-old child. The entry records his ecclesiastical affiliation and leave status at the time of the offense. The conviction establishes a criminal outcome tied to abuse of a child at the stated age.

David Trichtinger

• Accused

In December 2018, the diocese announced that Trichtinger had sexually abused a student during the mid-1980s. The disclosure places the alleged abuse in a school-related context and anchors the public announcement to late 2018. No further disciplinary timeline details are included beyond the announcement of the allegation.

John M. Unger

• Sued

A claim alleged that a priest sexually abused a ten-year-old boy at Sacred Heart Elementary School. The alleged abuse occurred three times between 1969 and 1971, with several other attempts also described. The allegation specifies the school location, the child’s age, and a multi-year time window with repeated incidents.

Alberta Veri/Sr. Bernardine

• Sued

Known as Sr. Bernardine, Veri went on leave in 1980 and later left the religious order. In a 1997 lawsuit, a woman alleged that Veri sexually abused her in 1972 when she was a high school senior. Veri denied the allegation. The complainant stated she first came forward in 1994 and was asked to remain silent, which the order and diocese denied. The lawsuit was dismissed on statute of limitations grounds, and the order paid for therapy.

John W. Wellinger

• Settled

Wellinger was sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland in 1986 for issues including substance abuse. He was also accused of sexually abusing an eleven- or twelve-year-old altar boy in 1981 or 1982. Wellinger was included in the diocese’s $1.25 million settlement with thirty-two plaintiffs alleging abuse by seventeen priests, resolving civil claims connected to the broader group.

Joseph S. Wichmanowski

• Settled

Wichmanowski was accused of sexually abusing a girl for about a year beginning when she was twelve years old. He was named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. The entry links the allegation to a defined duration and starting age, with later public identification occurring through the grand jury disclosure.

George A. Wilt

• Settled

Wilt made unwanted advances toward a woman in 2000, and a director of religious education at St. Bernard raised concerns in 2003. In 2004, a woman filed suit alleging that Wilt sexually abused her in 1961 when she was thirteen. The record links a later pattern of boundary concerns with an earlier alleged abuse claim pursued through settlement.

Thomas R. Wilson

• Accused

Placed on leave in April 2019 after admitting to inappropriate contact with a minor while a seminarian, Wilson was later added to the diocese’s list of living clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse who have been removed from ministry. The entry ties the removal directly to his admission and records the listing as part of the diocese’s published disclosures.

Robert G. Wolk

• Convicted

Wolk sexually abused two brothers in Pennsylvania, beginning when they were twelve-year-old altar boys and continuing for six years. He was placed on leave and sent to St. Luke’s Institute in Maryland for treatment, then pleaded guilty in 1990. A separate allegation stated that a boy aged fourteen to seventeen was abused beginning in 1968 by Wolk and Leo Burchianti.

William B. Yockey

• Accused

A twenty-five-year-old man told the diocese that Yockey sexually assaulted him when he was sixteen, and that the same conduct also occurred to his friend in 1983 when the friend was an eighteen-year-old high school student. The allegation identifies victim ages and anchors one account to 1983, describing more than one reported target.

Theodore P. Zabowski

• Settled

Zabowski was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was placed on leave in 1995 and admitted having boys in his bed for companionship and possible inappropriate touching. In 2002, he withdrew from ministry, and the associated civil matters were resolved through settlement.

George Zirwas

• Sued

A Pennsylvania Grand Jury found Francis Pucci, Robert Wolk, and Richard Zula guilty of child sexual abuse, with shared victims identified across the group. Zirwas was described as connected to the same network, including coordinated targeting signals used within that circle. The entry frames the allegation within a group context, emphasizing interlinked conduct and shared victimization patterns.

Stanislaus J. Zolnierzak

• Accused

Also known as Stanley, Zolnierzak was named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s list in 2019. He served as pastor of St. Hilary in Washington, Pennsylvania, from 1958 to 1986. Zolnierzak died in 1998, and the public disclosure occurred after his death, anchoring his record to a long parish tenure.

Richard F. Zula

• Convicted

Zula was accused of violent sexual abuse of a minor in a rectory setting, with involvement described alongside three lay men. He was arrested and sentenced to two to five years in prison for two counts involving two brothers. The entry ties the conviction to specific victims and a defined prison sentence following arrest and prosecution.

Diocese of Scranton PA

Walter L. Ferrett

• Accused

Ferrett was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Scranton in October 2020. Over the course of his ministry, he was assigned to parishes in Lake Silkworth, Nanticoke, Scranton, Dickson City, and Plains. He died on April 29, 2008. The allegation was formally disclosed posthumously as part of the diocese’s expanded public accountability listings.

Philip Ferrara

• Convicted

Ferrara, a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton, was arrested following an allegation by a fourteen-year-old boy. The reported abuse occurred at the Our Lady of Solitude retreat house in Little Meadows. Criminal proceedings followed the arrest, resulting in a conviction tied directly to the allegation involving a minor at the retreat facility.

Austin E. Flanagan

• Accused

Flanagan was first publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was transferred to St. Francis Parish in Mildred in September 1980. In July 2002, he was removed from active ministry. Flanagan denied the allegations, which were later documented through diocesan disclosure and grand jury findings.

Ralph N. Ferraldo

• Accused

Ferraldo was named publicly in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. In 1985, he underwent evaluation following an allegation of inappropriate conduct involving a hospital patient. He died in 1997. The allegation and subsequent evaluation were recorded in diocesan files prior to his death and later made public.

Joseph D. Flannery

• Accused

Flannery was publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was listed among clergy associated with complaints involving abuse of minors. The public identification placed his name into diocesan and statewide records without additional assignment or disciplinary details specified in the disclosure.

Martin J. Fleming

• Accused

Fleming was accused of sexually abusing a young child in 1940. His name appeared on a list distributed in May 2016 to district attorneys’ offices identifying clergy with allegations of child abuse. The allegation dates to the early twentieth century and was disclosed decades later through law enforcement notification channels.

Conran Free

• Settled

Free was publicly identified as accused in May 2021 through legal representation acting on behalf of survivors. The claim was resolved through a settlement in 2021. The disclosure occurred outside the grand jury process and concluded with a civil resolution rather than criminal proceedings.

Edward F. Gallagher

• Accused

Gallagher was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 2001. The allegation was disclosed posthumously as part of the diocese’s public acknowledgment of clergy accused of abuse.

Robert J. Gibson

• Settled

Allegations against Gibson were first made public by the diocese in September 2008. He was later named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. Gibson was placed in residence under supervision at a parish rectory, and the claims connected to his conduct were resolved through settlement.

Joseph P. Gilgallon

• Accused

In December 1986, a man receiving counseling reported that Gilgallon had sexually abused him. Other clergy active at the time considered the allegation credible and stated that the incident occurred in a rectory setting. The report was documented internally and later disclosed through public accountability processes.

James Joseph Gormley

• Accused

Gormley was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Scranton in October 2019. He was also listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Richmond in October 2019 and by the Diocese of San Bernardino in May 2021. The multiple listings reflect allegations connected to more than one ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

Joseph A. Griffin

• Accused

Griffin was first publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. A man reported that Griffin sexually abused him in 1967. The allegation places the reported conduct in the late 1960s and was disclosed decades later through the grand jury process.

Joseph T. Hammond

• Accused

Hammond was named publicly in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. A man testified that Hammond engaged in inappropriate conduct toward him in 1961 at the rectory of St. Leo’s Parish in Ashley. Diocesan and police files contained no contemporaneous record of the allegation at the time it was reported.

Alex J. Hazzouri

• Sued

A woman filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Scranton in 2002 alleging misconduct by Hazzouri. The case was dismissed on summary judgment. The entry reflects the filing and legal resolution without additional disciplinary or criminal action recorded.

Charles W. Heid

• Accused

Heid, who held the title of monsignor, was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1991. The allegation was disclosed posthumously as part of diocesan transparency efforts.

P. Lawrence Homer

• Accused

Homer was accused of abusing several girls, including a fourteen-year-old in 1967. He resigned in 1993 and was removed from ministry in July 2002. He underwent multiple evaluations and treatment over the years. Homer died in 2015, with the allegations documented prior to his death.

Joseph F. Houston

• Accused

In 1971, concerns were reported to the bishop regarding Houston’s inappropriate behavior involving a minor. In 2002, the individual involved contacted the bishop again, and Houston later wrote a letter of apology. The record reflects internal acknowledgment and subsequent communication rather than criminal proceedings.

Thomas M. Jordan

• Settled

Jordan, who held the title of monsignor, was accused of sexually abusing a young boy between 1979 and 1980. The claim was resolved through a settlement in 2020. The case proceeded through civil channels and concluded without criminal charges.

James J. Kane

• Accused

Kane was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1985. The disclosure occurred decades after his death as part of the diocese’s retrospective reporting of allegations.

Joseph P. Kelly

• Settled

Kelly, a monsignor who retired in 2006, was accused of abusing boys at St. Michael’s School in Falls Township. He denied the allegations and was placed on leave after claims were submitted through the diocese’s Independent Survivors Compensation Program. The claims were resolved through settlement.

Francis G. Kulig

• Settled

Kulig was first publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was accused of sexually abusing his son beginning at age twelve and continuing until 1985. The allegations were resolved through a civil settlement.

Albert M. Liberatore Jr.

• Convicted

Church leadership was informed during the 1990s of inappropriate relationships involving a young adult below the legal drinking age. Additional reports later raised further concerns regarding conduct involving young males. Criminal proceedings followed, resulting in a conviction tied to the reported conduct.

Gregory F. Loughney

• Guilty plea

Loughney served as pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Cresco. He was arrested after admitting to police that he intended to meet teenage boys for inappropriate activity. He pleaded no contest to attempted offenses involving minors, resolving the criminal case through a plea rather than trial.

John A. Madaj

• Accused

Madaj was first publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He denied an allegation involving a young boy. The disclosure placed his name among clergy accused of abuse without additional disciplinary details specified.

Louis Mako

• Accused

Born in Romania and ordained in Europe, Mako was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1998. The allegation was disclosed posthumously without further details regarding assignments or outcomes.

James M. McAuliffe

• Settled

After public outreach regarding his conduct, allegations involving the abuse of two boys were reported. McAuliffe was sent for treatment in Kentucky. The claims connected to his conduct were resolved through settlement rather than criminal prosecution.

Hugh Harold McGroarty

• Accused

McGroarty was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Scranton in October 2020. He served in numerous parish assignments across northeastern Pennsylvania. He died on April 16, 2012, with the allegation disclosed years after his death.

Neil P. McLaughlin

• Sued

McLaughlin was accused of abusing a young child in 1972 while assigned to St. Ignatius Parish in Kingston. He was removed from the Jesuit community in 2006 and later lived in a monitored setting. The allegation was pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal court.

Joseph F. Meighan

• Accused

Meighan was publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He was removed from ministry in 1990 following an incident involving inappropriate conduct with a teenager. The record ties the removal directly to the reported incident.

Russell E. Motsay

• Accused

Motsay served as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Carbondale from 1996 to 2012. He was removed from ministry in April 2012 after a report of past abuse of a minor. No criminal prosecution followed due to statute of limitations constraints.

James F. Nolan

• Accused

A man reported that Nolan engaged in inappropriate physical contact with him when he was serving as an altar server. Nolan died in 1957. The allegation was disclosed long after his death and recorded in diocesan accountability listings.

John A. O’Neill

• Accused

O’Neill was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1978. The allegation was disclosed posthumously as part of diocesan reporting efforts.

Albert E. Oldfield

• Accused

In October 2019, the Diocese of Scranton announced that Oldfield had been credibly accused of child abuse and added him to its list. He died on August 22, 2019. The disclosure followed shortly after his death.

William Jeffrey Paulish

• Convicted

Paulish was assigned to numerous parishes over a twenty-five-year period and also worked at a facility for troubled youth. He was arrested after being found in a compromising situation involving a teenage boy. Criminal proceedings resulted in a conviction tied to the offense.

John A. Pender

• Accused

Pender was publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He left the diocese without authorization and was later included on a list of clergy associated with allegations of child abuse. The record reflects both unauthorized departure and public disclosure.

Pisaneschi

• Accused

A member of the Religious Teachers Filippini, Pisaneschi taught in several states before retiring in 2012. He died on October 22, 2014. His name was later included among those publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Scranton.

Mark Plaushin

• Accused

A retired Army chaplain, Plaushin was placed on leave following an allegation of abuse of a minor dating to 1985. He denied the allegation. The record reflects the leave decision and his status as retired at the time of disclosure.

Michael G. Polcha

• Accused

Polcha, who held the title of monsignor, was publicly named by the Diocese of Scranton when added to its list in December 2018. He served in multiple parish assignments and died in 1989. The disclosure occurred decades after his death.

Michael J. Pulicare

• Sued

Pulicare was publicly named in December 2018. Allegations involved sexual abuse of boys over several years during childhood. The claims proceeded through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution.

Julius Reiner

• Accused

Reiner was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Scranton in October 2020. He died on September 26, 1973. The allegation was disclosed posthumously without further disciplinary detail.

Mark T. Rossetti

• Accused

Rossetti was accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy. He was suspended from ministry and later permitted to serve in New York. Rossetti died in 2007, with the allegation remaining part of his clerical record.

Robert N. Shilala

• Accused

Shilala was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1997. The disclosure placed his name among those retrospectively identified.

Edward J. Shoback

• Settled

Shoback was removed from the priesthood in 2004 after admitting to sexually abusing a minor decades earlier. Additional victims came forward in later years. No criminal charges were filed, and the claims were resolved through settlement.

Thomas P. Shoback

• Convicted

Shoback was convicted in 2013 of sexually abusing an eleven-year-old altar server. He was sentenced to five to ten years in state prison. The conviction followed criminal prosecution and resulted in a substantial prison term.

Thomas D. Skotek

• Accused

Skotek was relieved of ministerial duties in 2002 after admitting to improper conduct that occurred decades earlier. He was later named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018, formalizing the public disclosure.

Thomas J. Sokolowski

• Accused

Sokolowski was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 2012. The allegation was disclosed posthumously through diocesan reporting.

Thomas E. Stahurski

• Accused

Stahurski was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1988. The public identification occurred years after his death.

John J. Tamalis

• Accused

Tamalis was first publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. He admitted to abusing multiple minors and young adults. No criminal charges were filed, and the record reflects disclosure without prosecution.

Robert M. Timchak

• Convicted

Timchak was arrested in 2009 on multiple counts related to illegal material involving minors. He pleaded guilty in 2010, was sentenced to prison, fined, ordered to register as a sex offender, and was laicized in 2014. The case involved both criminal penalties and ecclesiastical removal.

Virgil Bradley Tetherow

• Convicted

Also known as Father Gabriel, Tetherow was a former Franciscan friar who later founded a traditionalist church in Scranton. He was arrested in 2005 for downloading illegal material involving minors. The arrest led to criminal conviction tied to the offense.

Dominic C. Tomkiewicz

• Accused

Tomkiewicz was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1967. The allegation was disclosed long after his death through diocesan reporting.

George J. Tribendis

• Accused

Tribendis was publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Scranton on its list released August 19, 2018. He died in 1986. The disclosure occurred posthumously.

Carlos Urrutigoity

• Settled

In early July 2014, the Vatican announced an apostolic visitation of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, after complaints following Carlos Urrutigoity’s appointment and promotion to vicar general by Bishop Rogelio Livieres. Weeks later, Urrutigoity was removed as vicar general and Livieres was barred from ordaining candidates while the report was reviewed. In a 2002 federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania, a plaintiff alleged that Urrutigoity and Eric Ensey abused him under spiritual direction, including misconduct after high school and during preparation for priesthood, with civil claims later settled for about $400,000. He was later assigned to seminary formation duties there.

Sebastian Vadakekottaram

• Guilty Plea

Originally from India and a member of the Oblates of St. Joseph, Vadakekottaram pleaded guilty in 1985 to sexually assaulting two children, an altar boy and his sister, both age nine. In January 1986, he was sentenced to five years of probation and continued treatment at St. Luke’s Institute. He was later permitted by Bishop Timlin to return to India, where he served in active ministry in Kerala between 1995 and 2000.

Lawrence P. Weniger

• Accused

Weniger was accused of inappropriate contact with several boys during the mid-1960s while assigned to Sacred Heart School and Church in Luzerne. The alleged conduct occurred in parish and school settings during that period. Weniger died in 1972, and the allegations were disclosed decades later through diocesan public accountability listings.

William J. Wheeler

• Accused

Wheeler was publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Scranton when it released its clergy disclosure list on August 19, 2018. He had died in 1988. The allegation was made public posthumously as part of a broader review of historical abuse complaints within the diocese.

Joseph B. Wilson

• Settled

Wilson was publicly named in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released on August 14, 2018. Ordained at age 69 for the Diocese of Scranton, he was later removed from ministry following allegations involving the abuse of two boys. The claims were resolved through a civil settlement, and no criminal charges were recorded.

Steven J. Wolpert

• Convicted

A retired priest from New York, Wolpert admitted to severe boundary violations involving minors. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to a felony sexual offense involving a child under age thirteen, related to abuse of an eight-year-old boy between 2006 and 2007. He was sentenced to nine to eighteen years in prison. As of August 13, 2025, he had been released on parole and was residing in South Mountain.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse happens when religious leaders use their position of trust to exploit minors or vulnerable adults sexually, often manifesting as child sexual abuse. This abuse of a minor often leads to severe emotional, psychological, and physical impacts for the victims, including trauma, depression, and trust issues.

Victims of child sexual abuse often experience issues for many years, even if the Pennsylvania priests accused of abuse are brought to justice. Many victims of child sex abuse require years of treatment and may have to deal with various issues that impact their lives, such as not feeling comfortable walking inside a Catholic church again.

Other clergy members need to keep an eye out for these cases and report suspected abuse allegations immediately to hold the criminals accountable and prevent further harm. Survivors of child sexual abuse should know they are not alone and that legal support is available to help them seek justice.

In Pennsylvania, the legal process typically begins with reporting the child abuse to law enforcement, the district attorney, or child protective services. A civil lawsuit can then be filed, often involving discovery, depositions, and negotiations. The case may proceed to trial if a settlement is not reached.

Legal Support for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in Pennsylvania

At Injury Lawyer Team, our experts are experienced in handling clergy abuse cases. We provide compassionate, confidential consultations to help child sexual abuse survivors understand their rights and options.

Our experienced legal team specializes in handling these sensitive cases and has a proven track record of securing justice and compensation for clients. We assist with filing civil action lawsuits, navigating the legal process, and pursuing settlements or trials. Our confidential consultations and comprehensive legal support are here to help child sexual abuse survivors heal and find closure.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania takes child sexual abuse seriously, as well as any case of child abuse. Several laws are in place to help protect victims of child sexual abuse and other abuse victims, including those who may have suffered from something like clerical sexual abuse.

After the grand jury report revealed shocking revelations regarding clergy members of the Catholic Church, various provisions and laws were enacted to ensure more protection for victims and increase awareness.

Definition of Child Sex Abuse

Pennsylvania law clearly defines child sexual abuse as “The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in sexually explicit conduct.” This includes, but is not limited to:

• Looking at the intimate parts of a child for sexual gratification
• Actual or simulated sexual activity for sexual gratification or stimulation
• Inappropriate conversations are often considered child sex abuse
• Producing visuals, such as photographing or filming, for sexual purposes

Rape, incest, unlawful contact, and sexual exploitation are all considered child sexual abuse, too. Our attorneys can help you determine if allegations qualify as child sexual abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Laws

Pennsylvania has various laws to address different types of sexual abuse, including child sexual abuse. Sections of the law provide definitions and clear guidance regarding what is classified as child sexual abuse. For example, sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 13 is automatically considered rape.

Child Protective Services Law

The Child Protective Services Law was enacted to require mandated reporting to help protect children from child sexual abuse. It establishes the framework for mandated reporters. A mandated reporter is someone who must report suspected abuse, including child sex abuse, to authorities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Clergy members, even if they suspect another member of the clergy is responsible for sexual abuse
• School employees
• Health practitioners and childcare workers
• Public library employees, attorneys, and social service workers

Failure to report suspected abuse allegations may expose a mandated reporter to liability for damages. Not reporting suspected abuse is also a crime.

Age of Consent

Pennsylvania laws detailing what is considered the age of consent can determine whether something counts as child sexual abuse. It states that children under 13 years old cannot consent to sexual activity. Any sexual activity with a 12-year-old is automatically child sexual abuse.

Teens cannot consent to sexual activity with anyone who is four or more years older than them. So, a 14-year-old can consent to sexual activity with a 17-year-old. However, they cannot consent to sexual activity with a 20-year-old, so that would be considered child sexual abuse.

A 16-year-old can consent to sexual activity. So, if a 16-year-old consents to sexual activity with a 35-year-old, it’s not considered child sexual abuse as long as the teen was a consensual partner.

Civil and Criminal Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations determines how long you have to file civil claims or press charges against perpetrators, including clergy members. It’s important to note that you don’t file a lawsuit for criminal charges. You would work with law enforcement officials, but a criminal attorney can be helpful during this process.

Victims of child sexual abuse have the age of adulthood plus 32 years, meaning most victims have until they are about 50 to file criminal charges or report suspected abuse. However, the statute of limitations may vary depending on the severity of the crime. A professional lawyer can help you determine if there’s still time for criminal charges against clergy members.

The statute of limitations for civil claims is significantly different. Many people who suffered from abuse after 2002 have at least 30 years to file a civil claim. Most who were abused before 2002 have a two-year limitation.

There are specific circumstances in child sexual abuse cases that will extend the statute of limitations, such as if the abuse was not discovered until years later or if clergy members intentionally hid evidence.

Navigating the statute of limitations for civil claims and child sexual abuse laws can be complex. A free consultation with one of our attorneys can help you discover if you’re within the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and if a civil claims lawsuit is right for you.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Clergy Members in Pennsylvania

The process of filing a lawsuit for clergy sex abuse can be overwhelming for survivors. Injury Lawyer Team can help you through this canonical process, as well as assist you with claims against other dioceses, by providing the following services:

• Initial Consultation: Schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced attorney on our team to discuss your case and understand your legal options. We can explain the process of filing a civil claim for child sexual abuse, and more.
• Investigation and Evidence Collection: Your attorney will thoroughly investigate, gather evidence, and identify potential witnesses to build a strong case. We may obtain information from other organizations for child sexual abuse cases, such as the initial abuse report filed.
• Filing the Complaint: A formal complaint is filed with the court, outlining the allegations and seeking damages. The Pennsylvania diocese will also receive a copy of this complaint.
• Discovery Phase: Both parties exchange information through depositions, interrogatories, pre-trial motions, and document requests to uncover all relevant facts.
• Pre-Trial Proceedings: We’ll manage discovery, conduct depositions, and handle pre-trial motions efficiently. Our compassionate attorneys understand the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse, and will be beside you throughout the process.
• Settlement Negotiations: Many cases are resolved through negotiations. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to reach a fair settlement.
• Trial: If a settlement isn’t reached outside of court, your attorney will prepare for trial, develop a strategy, and present evidence in court, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
• Post-Trial Support: We’ll provide ongoing support and assistance even after the trial ends.

If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, contact Injury Lawyer Team today for a confidential consultation. We are dedicated to helping you seek justice and compensation.

Support Resources for Clerical Sexual Abuse Survivors in Pennsylvania

Remember, you are not alone, and many people and organizations are ready to support and assist you as you deal with the aftermath of child sexual abuse. The following support services in Pennsylvania focus on helping sexual abuse victims and providing them with a safe space to deal with their trauma.

• For immediate support: Call 911. If your child has suffered from child sexual abuse, take them to the hospital for immediate assistance and a medical examination. This can ensure they do not have medical complications. The initial report can also be helpful in a child sexual abuse lawsuit.
• Pittsburgh Diocese Victim Assistance Coordinator: This is the diocese’s direct support and resource to clergy abuse survivors in the Pittsburgh area. Call 412-456-3093 ext. 3712 or toll-free at 1-888-808-1235. They can also help you with any of the eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses.
• Faith Trust Institute: This FTI provides training and resources to prevent abuse and support survivors within faith communities. Although it mentions any abuse, this resource can also help victims of child sexual abuse and their families.
• Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP): SNAP provides a safe space and advocacy for survivors of clergy abuse. This includes any child sexual abuse or other type of abuse. Learn more on their platform.
• Catholic Whistleblowers Group: This group advocates for accountability and reforms within the Catholic Church to protect survivors and prevent future abuse, including the eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses.
• 1 in 6: This service supports men who have been sexually abused, offering resources and a community for healing. Men who suffered from child sexual abuse can also call years later to find support. Explore their website for more information.
• Survivor’s Sanctuary: Survivors of sexual assault can find a haven through Survivor’s Sanctuary, a part of the Me Too movement. More information and support can be found on their official site.
• (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): RAINN is another key organization offering support. They provide a national sexual assault hotline and various resources to help survivors.

Seeking both legal and emotional support is crucial to ensure total healing.

Notable Catholic Church Cases and Outcomes in Pennsylvania

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Pennsylvania clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

The Pennsylvania Diocese has a deeply troubling history of abuse and cover-ups, spanning across eight dioceses: the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Allentown Diocese, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Diocese of Erie, Diocese of Greensburg, Diocese of Harrisburg, and Diocese of Scranton. Each of these dioceses, along with six dioceses in other states, has been implicated in clergy sexual abuse cases, highlighting a pervasive issue within the state’s Catholic institutions.

A 2018 grand jury report released by the Pennsylvania Attorney General revealed that 301 priests abused over 1,000 minors. These priests were often shuffled from one parish to another to avoid alerting authorities. With the accused archdiocesan clergy laicized, there is no credibly accused priest in active ministry today against whom there is a substantiated allegation of child sexual abuse.

Pittsburgh Diocese Settlements: In 2021, a significant settlement was reached involving the Catholic Diocese in Pittsburgh, totaling $19,200,000 for clergy sexual abuse claims. The Feinberg Group, which managed the settlement process, received 369 claims. Out of these, 297 were deemed credible allegations.

However, not all eligible claimants accepted the settlement offers; 21 did not respond to the grand jury’s findings, and 52 refused the settlement. Ultimately, 224 victims identified agreed to the settlements, with the average compensation amounting to around $86,000 per victim.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team For Your Catholic Clergy Case

If alleged abuse occurred at the hands of a clergy member in the Pennsylvania diocese, you’ll need a law firm to help you through the legal process. Injury Lawyer Team is here to help you receive fair compensation and closure.

Our Pennsylvania clergy abuse law firm has a proven track record of success and a deep commitment to justice, being the only firm to advocate for child sexual abuse victims at public hearings against clergy members. Our experienced legal team has secured substantial settlements and verdicts for survivors, including cases involving two priests, demonstrating our expertise in child sex abuse cases. We approach each case with compassion and confidentiality, ensuring survivors feel supported throughout the legal process.

Our commitment to justice drives us to fight tirelessly for our clients’ rights, helping them achieve the compensation and closure they deserve. Trust Injury Lawyer Team to handle your case with the utmost care and dedication.

Contact Us

If you’re a victim of clergy sexual abuse looking to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania, and if earlier stories resonate with your experience, you can reach out to us for a confidential consultation to get you started with the legal process.

Contact our clergy abuse law firm today at 866-757-6452 for a free consultation or fill out our online form.

Related Practice Areas

• Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse Attorney
• Allentown Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Erie Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Philadelphia Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Pittsburgh Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Reading Clergy Abuse Lawyer

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.