Priests and Clergy Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania
Clergy Members Credibly Accused of Abusing Children in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Grand Jury Reports Clergy Sexual Abuse
In August, 2018 a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a report detailing sexual abuse of over 1,000 children and adolescents perpetrated by “over three hundred predator priests” spanning a period of 70 years. The report covered six of the eight Pennsylvania Catholic Church’s dioceses which encompasses 54 of the state’s 67 counties.
Describing a culture of cover-up, the Report states:
“The main thing was not to help children, but to avoid “scandal.” That is not our word, but theirs; it appears over and over again in the documents we recovered. Abuse complaints were kept locked up in a “secret archive.” That is not our word, but theirs; the church’s Code of Canon Law specifically requires the diocese to maintain such an archive. Only the bishop can have the key.”
40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury REPORT 1 Interim—Redacted at Page 2.
Available Compensation Programs by Diocese
If you think you might be eligible for one of these Programs, we would like to talk with you. To speak with us, please complete our Confidential E-Contact form. Please be mindful that these Programs have strict deadlines so we encourage you to act promptly.
Philadelphia Archdiocese Compensation Program
In an effort to further support the victims/survivors of sexual abuse by Priests and Deacons of the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched the “Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program for Claims of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors” (the “IRRP”). This program was announced on November 13, 2018 and is intended to provide additional compensation to victims on top of the existing compensation program implemented in 2003, without having to file a lawsuit. There are specific rules and guidelines defining who can submit a claim to this program.
The IRRP is a voluntary compensation program. No one is required to participate. Importantly, the submission of a claim does not obligate the claimant to accept an offer of compensation, if any, made by the IRRP. If an offer of compensation is made by the IRRP and accepted by the claimant, the claimant will be required to sign a Release.
Click here for more information about the IRRP program.
Allentown Diocese Compensation Program
While there is no active survivor compensation plan in place yet, the Diocese of Allentown is currently working on putting one together. We will bring you more information as soon as it is made available.
Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Compensation Program
A private mediation-compensation program is in planning. More information will be made available upon its release from the diocese.
Erie Diocese Compensation Program
On November 8, 2018, the Diocese of Erie announced the formation of the Independent Survivors' Reparation Program (ISRP) to pay reparations to victims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy or laypersons affiliated with the diocese. The diocese has retained Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros to serve as Administrators of the ISRP and to begin work effective February 15, 2019. Claimants must register with the program by May 31, 2019 and claims must be submitted to the Administrators by August 15, 2019.
Greensburg Diocese Compensation Program
The Diocese of Greensburg announced details of a Comprehensive Reconciliation Initiative to help survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The initiative includes a Survivors’ Compensation program, an opportunity for survivors to have personal interaction with an objective program administrator, as well as counseling, spiritual guidance and pastoral care for anyone impacted by clergy abuse in the Diocese of Greensburg. This Program will be administered by Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) of Massachusetts. Bishop Edward C. Malesic made the announcement February 27, 2019, fulfilling a commitment he made on behalf of the diocese last fall. To participate in the program a claimant must complete a questionnaire. Even if they have previously notified the diocese regarding their claim, a questionnaire needs to be submitted to CMCI and must be completed and post-marked on or before May 28, 2019. CMCI will hear all claims and make settlement offers to the claimants within 60 days of the close of the initial claims phase, meaning on or before July 29, 2019.
Harrisburg Diocese Compensation Program
The Diocese of Harrisburg has opened the Survivor Compensation Program. This Program will be administered by Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI), including Paul Finn, Jon Prouty, Brian Mone, and Robert Berks. The Program is intended to provide compensation to those survivors of childhood sexual abuse committed by clergy and certain other persons associated with the Diocese of Harrisburg. The claims period will run for 90 days, from February 12, 2019 through May 13, 2019.
Pittsburgh Diocese Compensation Program
Following in the footsteps of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has enacted its own, similar program in an effort to further support the victims/survivors of sexual abuse by Priests and Deacons of the Catholic Church. Titled the “Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program for Claims of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors” (the “IRCP”), it is very similar to the IRRP program. This new IRCP program was announced on December 13, 2018 and officially went into effect as of January 22, 2019. Just as with the IRRP, the IRCP is intended to provide additional compensation to victims on top of the existing compensation program implemented in 2003. There are specific rules and guidelines defining who can submit a claim to this program.
The IRCP is a voluntary compensation program. No one is required to participate. Importantly, the submission of a claim does not obligate the claimant to accept an offer of compensation, if any, that may be made by the IRCP. If an offer of compensation is made by the IRCP and accepted by the claimant, the claimant will be required to sign a Release.
Click here for more information about the IRCP program.
Scranton Diocese Compensation Program
On November 8, 2018, the Diocese of Scranton announced the formation of the Independent Survivor Compensation Program (ISCP) to pay reparations to victims of clergy sexual abuse of minors by clergy of the diocese, clergy of a religious order serving within the diocese and lay teachers or employees associated with the Diocese. The diocese has retained Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros, to serve as Administrators of the ISCP and to begin work effective January 22, 2019. Claimants must register with the program before July 31, 2019 and claims must be submitted to the Administrators by September 30, 2019.
If you think you might be eligible for one of these Programs, we would like to talk with you. To speak with us, please complete our Confidential E-Contact form. Please be mindful that these Programs have strict deadlines so we encourage you to act promptly.
Clergy Members Credibly Accused of Abusing Children in Pennsylvania
The following list includes current or former priests who have been sued and/or suspended following allegations of sexual abuse of minors or have claims against them in the state of Pennsylvania. We are actively pursuing cases against Catholic priests and clergy as well as other church figures accused of abuse from 8 different Pennsylvania dioceses.
Important note: If the name of a priest or other member of clergy you are searching for does not appear in the lists below, it does not mean that you do not have a potential claim against that individual. These lists of credibly accused individuals are always expanding as more information is brought forth to the dioceses and to authorities. Please contact us if you or a loved one has been abused by a priest or other clergy member, regardless of whether they appear in the lists below or not.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Edward V. Avery
- William G. Ayres
- Philip R. Barr
- James J. Behan
- Michael C. Bolesta
- John F. Bowe
- H. Cornell Bradley
- Michael J. Bransfield (BP)
- James J. Brennan
- Robert L. Brennan
- Leonard W. Broughan
- Craig F. Brugger
- James J. Brzyski
- George B. Cadwallader
- Raymond J. Cahill
- Hugh P. Campbell
- John A. Cannon
- Paul A. Castellani
- Pasquale R. Catullo
- Gerard W. Chambers
- Michael A. Chapman
- Arthur B. Chappell
- John A. Close
- Richard J. Cochrane
- James J. Collins
- Michael F. Conroy
- James J. Coonan
- George A. Costigan
- Nicholas V. Cudemo
- John J. Delli
- Edward M. Depaoli
- Joseph L. Digregorio
- Richard D. Dolan
- Michael J. Donofrio
- John C. Dougherty
- William J. Dougherty
- Philip J. Dowling
- Peter J. Dunne
- Ernest A. Durante
- Thomas J. Durkin
- James M. Dux
- Charles F. Engelhardt
- Francis S. Feret
- Mark E. Fernandes
- J. Michael Flood
- Leonard A. Furmanski
- Robert W. Gaghan
- Francis J. Gallagher
- Joseph J. Gallagher
- Joseph P. Gallagher
- Stanley M. Gana
- Armand D. Garcia
- Stephen M. Garrity
- Mark S. Gaspar
- Joseph P. Gausch
- Francis A. Giliberti
- John E. Gillespie
- Charles, Ginn, Jr.
- David W. Givey
- Joseph M. Glatts
- Thomas J. Grumm
- David I. Hagan
- Steven Harris
- Mark J. Haynes
- James T. Henry
- Robert J. Hermley
- Gerard J. Hoffman
- Regis Howitz
- Daniel J. Hoy
- John F. Hummell
- James M. Iannarella
- Stanley Janowski
- Richard G. Jones
- William T. Joseph
- William N. Killian
- John Kline
- Thomas M. Kohler
- Louis J. Kolenkiewicz
- Matthew J. Kornacki
- Albert T. Kostelnick
- Edward P. Kuczynski
- Dexter A. Lanctot
- David T. Lawlor
- Raymond O. Leneweaver
- John R. Liggio
- Joseph L. Logrip
- Joseph E. Macanga
- Nilo C. Martins
- George J. Mazzotta
- Joseph F. McCafferty
- Michael J. McCarthy
- John F. McCole
- Charles P. McColgan
- Andrew D. McCormick
- James J. McGinnis
- James E. McGuire
- Joseph M. McKenzie
- Richard J. McLoughlin
- John F. Meyers
- Donald J. Mills
- Joseph R. Monahan
- John H. Mulholland
- John J. Murray
- Michael G. Murtha
- Zachary Navit
- Henry "Harry" J. Nawn
- Charles Newman
- John P. Paul
- Stephen B. Perzan
- Leonard Peterson
- Terrance Pinkowski
- Ted (Theodore) Podson
- Robert Povish
- Richard T. Powers
- John D. Reardon
- Francis P. Rogers (In Philly)
- Thomas Rooney
- Joseph F. Sabadish
- William L. Santry
- Martin J. Satchell
- Charles J. Schaeflein
- John P. Schmeer
- Thomas F. Shea
- David C. Sicoli
- Charles J. Siegele
- Raymond W. Smart
- Edward J. Smith
- Thomas J. Smith
- Depaul Sobotka
- Louis M. Steingraber
- Michael W. Swierzy
- Peter Talocci
- Carmen F. Taraborelli
- Joseph W. Thomas
- Francis X. Trauger
- Aloysius H. Vath
- David E. Walls
- Sylwester Wiejata
- Thomas J. Wisniewski
Diocese of Allentown
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- John S. Baruch
- Thomas J. Bender
- Thomas J. Benestad
- Luis A. Bonilla Margarito
- Robert G. Cofenas
- David Connell
- Felix C. Fink
- Bernard A. Flanagan
- Richard J. Ford
- Stephen T Forish
- Francis (Frank) J. Fromholzer
- James F. Gaffney
- Joseph D. Galko
- Edward G. Ganster
- Francis T. Gillespie
- Richard J Giuliani (Guiliani)
- Edward R. Graff
- Leo J. Houseknecht
- Joseph D. Hulko
- William E. Jones
- Joseph H. Kean
- Thomas J. Kerestus
- Bronislaus J. Kopec
- Robert J. Kuzmann
- Michael S. Lawrence
- Kevin Lonergan
- William J. Maslar
- Joseph L. Mathis
- James J. McHale
- Francis Joseph McNelis
- James J. Mihalak
- John Stephen Mraz
- Francis Nave
- Gabriel M. Patil
- Paul G. Puza
- Dennis A. Rigney
- Joseph A. Rock
- Gerald J. Royer
- Charles J. Ruffenach
- John P./John Pascal Sabas
- William J. Shields
- Stephen F. Shigo
- David A. Soderlund
- Henry E. Strassner
- Bruno M. Tucci
- A. Gregory Uhrig
- Andrew Aloysius Ulincy
- Ronald J. Yarrosh
- Joseph A. Zmijewski
- John G. Zolondek
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Altoona Johnstown, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Francis Ackerson
- David Arsenault
- Joseph J. Bender
- Harold N. Biller
- Peter Bodenschatz
- Charles Bodziak
- John J. Boyle
- Martin D. Or A. Brady
- James F. Bunn
- Harold J. Burkhardt
- Andrew S. Campbell
- Thomas M. Carroll
- Athanasius C. Cherry
- Martin A Cingle
- Dennis E. Coleman
- James B. Coveney
- Alvin T. Downey
- Mario Fabbri
- Elwood F. Figurelle
- Joseph Gaborek
- Bernard V. Grattan
- Leonard Inman
- Robert J. Kelly
- George D. Koharchik
- William Kovach
- Thomas M. Lemmon
- Anthony M. Little
- Francis E. Luddy
- Thomas K. Mabon
- Joseph D Maurizio
- Francis McCaa
- Martin D. McCamley
- Regis Myers
- Christian Neetz
- Daniel F. O'Friel
- John J. Palko
- Anthony J. Petracca
- Gerard J. Ream
- William A. Rosensteel
- James F. Skupien
- Joseph J. Strittmatter
- Raymond Waldruff
- Benedict Wolfe
Diocese of Erie
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Michael J. Amy
- Michael G. Barletta
- Donald Bolton
- Robert F. Bower
- Dennis C. Chludzinski
- Bonaventure M. Ciufoli
- Donald J. Cooper
- Kevin E. Cray
- G. Matthew Daly
- David V. Dobrowolski
- Gregory P. Furjanic
- Chester J. Gawronski
- Herbert G. Gloekler
- Robert E. Hannon
- Patrick J. Healy
- James P. Or F. Hopkins
- Barry M. Hudock
- Joseph W. Jerge
- Stephen E. Jeselnick
- Edward W. Jungquist
- Thomas C. Kelley
- Sean P. Kerins
- Gary L. Ketcham
- Thaddeus T. Kondzielski
- Gerard/Gerald Krebs
- Jerome Kucan (Kucon)
- Fidelis G. Lazar
- Thomas M. Lechner
- Louis H. Lorei
- Salvatore P. Luzzi
- Richard D. Lynch
- Daniel J Martin
- H. Desmond Mcgee, Jr.
- Joseph F. Meisinger
- Leon T. Muroski
- Edmundus Murphy
- John L. Murray
- Giles L. Nealen
- Jan C. Olowin
- Andrew W. Pawlaczyk
- John A. Piatkowski
- David Poulson
- William F. Presley
- Joseph V. Reszkowski
- William A. Rice
- John P. Schanz
- Charles R. Schmitt
- Charles A. Sheets, Jr.
- Mary Carmel Skeabeck
- Samuel B. Slocum
- Thomas E. Smith
- Thomas Snyderwine
- Daniel J. Taylor
- John Tome
- Patrick B. Vallimont
Diocese of Greensburg
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Joseph E. Bonafed
- James W. Clark
- Dennis Dellamalva
- Gregory Flohr
- Mark F. X. Gruber
- Charles B. Guth
- Francis M. Lesniak
- Raymond Lukac
- Henry J. Marcinek
- Michael W. Matusak
- Robert Moslener
- Fabian G. Oris
- George R. Pierce
- Gregory F. Premoshis
- Leonard Sanesi
- Roger A. Sinclair
- Joseph L. Sredzinski
- John Thomas Sweeney
- Joseph A. Tamilowski
- Roger J. Trott
- Charles Weber
Diocese of Harrisburg
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Alexander Dario Agudelo Cano
- John G. Allen
- Francis (Scotty) Allen, II
- Francis Bach
- Luis Jesus Barajas
- James W. Beeman
- John P. Bolen
- John R. Bostwick, III
- Frederick R. Bradel
- Joseph Bradley
- Donald W. Cramer
- Patrick D'allesandro
- Philip Dechico
- Raymond E. Dougherty
- Joseph H. Driscoll (C.SS.R.)
- Paul Fisher
- Augustine Giella
- Donald Hackman
- Joseph Hager
- Thomas Ronald Haney
- William T. Haviland
- John Herber (C.PP.S.)
- Philip A. Hower
- Francis Hudak
- Kevin L. Kayda
- George J. Koychick
- Thomas J. Kujovsky
- Kevin Labuda
- Thomas F. Lawler
- Robert Logue
- Arthur J. Long
- David H. Luck
- Robert J. Maher
- Daniel Joseph Mahoney
- Guy D. Marsico
- Anthony J. Mcginley
- Ibarra C. Mercado
- Neil J. Murphy
- James E. Noel
- Joseph M. Pease
- Charles Procopio
- Guido Miguel Quiroz
- Stephen M. Rolko
- James Rush
- Thomas Scala
- Bryan Schlager
- Herbert J. Shank
- Patrick J. Shannon
- Timothy Sperber
- Carl J. Steffen
- John J. Suknaic
- Francis J. Taylor
- John Tokarick, Jr.
- Frederick J. Vaughn
- James Vecera
- Salvatore V. Zangari
Diocese of Pittsburgh
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Alvin J. Adams
- James R. Adams
- James L. Armstrong
- John M. Bauer
- Anthony (Cardinal) Bevilacqua
- Jerome Binder
- John E. Brueckner
- Leo Burchianti
- Robert J. Castelucci
- Mauro J. Cautela
- Charles J. Chatt
- Anthony J. Cipolla (Cipola)
- Bernard B. Costello
- John David Crowley
- Rosendo F. Dacal
- Charles Demblowski
- Ferdinand B. Demsher
- Myles Eric Diskin
- Jason R. Dolan
- Richard J. Dorsch
- James Downs
- David F. Dzermejko
- Ralph J. Esposito
- Joseph F. Feltz
- John "Jack" P. Fitzgerald
- Joseph M. Ganter
- John A. Genizer
- Charles Richard Ginder
- James G. Graham
- Bernard Joseph Hartman
- William Charles Hildebrand
- John Hoehl
- John J. Huber
- Edward G. Huff
- Edward Joyce
- Marvin Justi
- Bernard J. Kaczmarczyk
- Joseph D. Karabin
- John Keegan
- William Kiefer
- James Kline
- Henry R. Krawczyk
- Edward L. Kryston
- Anujit Kumar
- George Kurutz
- Hugh J. Lang
- George T. Leech
- Richard M. Lelonis
- Albert Leonard
- Casimir F. Lewandowski
- John Lukasik
- John P. Maloney
- Julius F. May
- William J. McCashin
- Dominic E. McGee
- Thomas McKenna
- Donald W. McLlvane
- Albert McMahon
- Francis Meder
- Arthur R. Merrell
- Ralph Mravintz
- Joseph Mueller
- Lawrence O'Connell
- Thomas M. O'Donnell
- William P. O'Malley
- Ernest C. Paone
- George J. Parme
- Peter R. Pilarski
- Paul E. Pindel
- Francis Pucci
- John W. Rebel
- Joseph W. Reschick
- Raymond R. Rhoden
- Carl M. Roemele
- Michael C. Romero
- Oswald E. Romero
- David Scharf
- Richard Scherer
- Raymond T. Schultz
- Francis A. Siler
- Edward P. Smith
- Thomas E. Smith
- James E. Somma, Jr.
- Bartley A. Sorensen
- Robert E. Spangenberg
- Paul G. Spisak
- Lawrence F. Stebler
- Andrew J. Suran
- Richard Gerard Terdine
- Charles Thomas
- Daniel J. Tisak
- David Trichtinger
- John Unger
- Alberta Veri
- John W. Wellinger
- Joseph S. Wichmanowski
- George Wilt
- Robert G. Wolk
- William B. Yockey
- Theodore P. Zabowski
- George Zirwas
- Richard F. Zula
Diocese of Scranton
The following list contains Priests and Clergy from the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania whom have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
- Philip A Altavilla
- Girard F. Angelo
- Mark G. Balczeniuk (Balzceniuk)
- Joseph P. Bonner
- Martin M. Boylan
- Robert J Brague
- Francis T Brennan
- Joseph Bucolo
- Gerald J. Burns
- Leo A. Burns
- Robert N. Caparelli
- Robert Capparelli
- Christopher R. Clay
- Anthony P. Conmy
- J. Peter Crynes
- Raymond L. Deviney
- Donald J. Dorsey
- John J. Dzurko
- Eric Ensey
- James F. Farry
- James F. Fedor
- Ralph N. Ferraldo
- Philip (Angelus) Ferrara (Ferrar)
- Austin E. Flanagan
- Joseph D. Flannery
- Martin J. Fleming
- Edward F. Gallagher
- Robert J Gibson
- Joseph G. Gilgallon
- Joseph A. Griffin
- Joseph T. Hammond
- Alex J Hazzouri
- Charles W. Heid
- P. Lawrence Homer
- Joseph F. Houston
- James J. Kane
- Francis G. Kulig
- Albert M. Liberatore, Jr.
- John A. Madaj
- Louis Mako
- James M. McAuliffe
- Neil P. McLaughlin
- Joseph F. Meighan
- Russell E. Motsay
- Father Ned
- James F. Nolan
- John A. O'Neill
- W (William) Jeffrey Paulish
- John A. Pender
- Clare Pisaneschi
- Mark Plaushin
- Michael G. Polcha
- Michael J. Pulicare
- Mark T. Rossetti (Rosetti)
- Robert Shilala
- Edward J. Shoback
- Thomas P Shoback
- Thomas D. Skotek
- Thomas Sokolowski
- Thomas E. Stahurski
- John J. Tamalis
- Virgil Bradley Tetherow
- Robert M. Timchak
- Dominic C. Tomkiewic
- George Tribendis
- Carlos Urrutigoity
- Sebastian Vadakekottaram
- Lawrence P. Weniger
- William J. Wheeler
- Joseph B./Raphael Wilson
- Steven J Wolpert
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