DIOCESE 0F ALLENTOWN 317 318 Reverend Thomas J. Bender Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1933 N/A May 13, 1967 Employment/Assignment History 5/1961 - 6/1962 St. Joseph, Ashland, PA 6/1962 - 6/1965 St. Joseph, Girardville, PA 6/1965 - 6/1966 Holy Family, New Philadelphia, PA 6/1965 - 6/1966 Marian High School, Tamaqua, PA 6/1966 - 6/1971 Nativity High School, Pottsville, PA 6/1966 - 1/1970 St. Kiern, Heckscherville, PA 1/1970 - 6/1970 St. Mary, St. Clair, PA 6/1970 - 6/1971 St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, PA 6/1971 - 10/1971 Bethlehem Catholic HS, Bethlehem, PA 10/1971 - 12/1972 St. Francis Orphanage, Orwigsburg, PA 12/1972 - 2/1982 Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gordon, PA 6/1973 - 2/1982 Diocesan Tribunal, Allentown, PA 2/1982 - 6/1986 Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally 6/1983 - 6/1987 Liturgical Commission, Diocese of Allentown 6/1986 - 6/1987 St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA 6/1987 - 7/1987 St. Anthony of Padua, Easton, PA 7/1987 7/24/1987 3/01/2002 5/06/2005 Northampton Deanery, Ministry to Aging Regional Director, Council of Catholic Nurses Leave of Absence Retired Dismissed form Priesthood 319 Summary A review of information received from the Diocese of Allentown indicates that the church was aware of Father Thomas J. Bender's predatory behavior as early as 1972, when Bender was caught in a car with a male student from Nativity High School, where Bender was assigned. It was reported by a Deacon, who also was a Pennsylvania State Trooper, that a second Trooper discovered the two in the car, both with their pants off. A report by Monsignor Anthony Muntone to Thomas J. Welsh, then Bishop of the Diocese, stated that the first Trooper gave Bender "a lecture and sent him on his way." A "Summary of Case" memorandum relating to Bender indicated that, when confronted, Bender admitted to the incident but claimed this was the first time anything like this had happened. He continued to serve as a priest. In 1984, a known victim reported that Bender abused him in 1981, while the victim was in seventh grade. The victim reported that he was abused in Bender's bed, where oral and anal sex occurred. When confronted at the Chancery, Bender admitted to abusing the victim. He was sent to psychotherapy but again continued to serve as priest. In 1986, the victim was hospitalized for a drug overdose and subsequently admitted to the Northwest Institute of Psychiatry. The Diocese paid the first week's fee of $4,000. The victim and his family decided to report Bender to legal authorities and also filed a civil suit. In 1987, Bender was put on a leave of absence. He was eventually arrested, convicted and, in 1988, sentenced to probation. A condition of his probation was that he could not have an occupation where children would be exposed to his influence or intentions. In the same year, the Diocese encouraged Bender to seek laicization. Instead, Bender remained on his leave of absence until 2002, when he applied for retirement benefits. The Church granted Bender his retirement and provided him a monthly living allowance and paid for health insurance, life insurance, retreat and workshop fees, and car insurance. In 2004, the Diocese received additional reports of sexual abuse by Bender. One known victim reported being abused in the early 1960's. Another known victim reported being abused by Bender in 1966. The second victim reported that the abuse occurred in the parish rectory and while on camping trips. On both occasions, the Diocese reported the allegations to the appropriate District Attorney's Office. No further information was provided as to the outcome of these reports of abuse. In 2006, while collecting retirement benefits from the church, Bender was arrested in Long Island, New York, while traveling to meet what he believed was a fourteen -year -old boy for sex. The "boy" was an undercover detective whom Bender had attempted to lure to a hotel room in Levittown, New York. At the time of arrest, Bender was found to be in possession of condoms, beer, pornography, a digital camera, candy, gum, toothpaste, and a laptop computer. Bender was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration and lifetime probation. As of April 2018, he remains on the sex offender registry of the State of New York. 320 Monsignor Thomas J. Benestad Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1945 N/A May 23, 1970 Employment/Assignment History 1970 1973 1978 1980 1988 2001 2002 2005 2006 6/2007 9/2007 6/2009 St. Bernard, Easton, PA Lafayette College Newman Center Notre Dame High School St. Thomas More Leave of Absence Holy Rosary St. Bernard Our Lady of Perpetual Help Papal Foundation Sabbatical St. Francis of Assisi Notre Dame of Bethlehem Leave of Absence Resigned as Pastor Leave of Absence Ascension, Boca Raton, FL Retired-Pastor Emeritus, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Summary Records including e-mail exchanges between the victim and the Diocese of Allentown indicate that, in 2011, a known victim reported to the Diocese that Monsignor Thomas J. Benestad sexually abused him from 1981 through 1983. The victim was nine years old when the abuse began. Correspondence demonstrated that the Diocese reported the allegation to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office, which conducted an investigation and found the victim's allegations to be credible. In a statement to Northampton County Detectives, the victim said that his first memory of abuse happened while he attended CCD class at St. Bernard's, where Benestad was assigned. The victim was taken out of class by a nun and delivered to Benestad in his office. The victim had worn shorts to CCD, which was against the rules. The victim was told that shorts were not proper attire and that not wearing proper attire was sinful. The victim was told to get on his knees and start praying. Benestad unzipped his pants and told the victim to perform oral sex on him. The victim did as he was told. Benestad also performed oral sex on the victim. The victim recalls that, after the abuse, Benestad would produce a clear bottle of holy water and squirt it 321 Summary into the victim's mouth to purify him. The District Attorney's Office found the applicable statute of limitations had expired and no charges were brought against Benestad. Additional complaints have been made against Benestad, who has denied all accusations. The Diocese elected to rely on Benestad's word rather than the word of the victims and the determinations of law enforcement. No attempt was made to remove Benestad from ministry. Benestad was granted retirement, resides in Boca Raton, Florida, and assists with a local parish. 322 Reverend Robert G. Cofenas Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1941 N/A January 6, 1973 Employment/Assignment History 1/1973 - 6/1979 Newman Center, Bethlehem, PA 6/1973 - 6/1975 Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Education, Diocese of 6/1975 - 2/1979 6/1975 - 2/1979 6/1975 - 2/1979 6/1975 - 2/1979 2/1979 - 7/1980 2/1979 - 7/1980 7/1980 - 5/1981 5/1981 - 6/1988 9/1981 11/1983 - 11/1986 6/1988 - 9/1988 6/1988 - 10/1989 9/1988 - 10/1989 10/1989 - 8/1990 8/1990 - 6/1997 2/24/1992 6/1997 - 10/2000 2/2000 - 3/2000 4/11/2000 2/11/2005 Allentown, PA Catholic Students Advisor, Newman Apostolate, Lehigh University, PA Catholic Students Advisor, Newman Apostolate, Moravian College, PA Guidance Counsellor, Norte Dame High School, Easton, PA Director, Newman Apostolate, Diocese of Allentown Assistant Superintendent of Education, Diocese of Allentown St.s Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, PA St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Maryland St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA Regional Director, American Catholic Overseas Aid Fund Council of Priests, Diocese of Allentown St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA Diocesan Newspaper Our Lady of Help of Christians, Allentown, PA Sabbatical (The Servants of the Paraclete, Jemez Springs, New Mexico) Our Lady of Help of Christians, Allentown, PA Special Advocate, Diocesan Tribunal St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA Sabbatical (St. John Vianney Treatment Facility, Downingtown) Decree of Suspension Dismissed from Priesthood Summary Records received from the Diocese of Allentown indicate the church was aware of Father Robert G. Cofenas' sexual attraction to young males as early as 1979. In a handwritten letter to Bishop Joseph Mark McShea, a secretary at The Newman Center of Lehigh University reported that she observed concerning behavior on the part of Cofenas. The secretary reported witnessing Cofenas befriend a "young boy (about 16 years of age)." The boy's name was known to the 323 Summary secretary. According to the letter, the boy had a serious drug problem and arrived at the Newman Center "half-starved and in pretty bad shape." The boy was hospitalized and upon discharge continued to visit the Newman Center. The secretary observed that, as soon as the boy arrived at the center, Cofenas would take him to his upstairs room and would lock the door. Cofenas told the secretary that the boy spent the night at the Center. According to the secretary, Cofenas showed a "great deal of inappropriate affection toward the boy." The secretary recommended that Cofenas be transferred "before something disastrous occurs." She added that she believed that Cofenas knew of her suspicions and felt that it was a cry for help on Cofenas' part when he told her of the boy staying the night at the Newman Center. Cofenas was reassigned approximately six months after the letter was written to the Bishop. While assigned to St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Cofenas wrote a letter to Bishop McShea dated April 6, 1981. Cofenas wrote: "Yes, I have failed again, but my problem is not so totally out of hand that I cannot with God's help and Dr. Zanni, work to master my situation. Incidentally, prior to now, I had experienced no failure in this matter since 1978." Cofenas went on to write: "I am deeply sorry for letting you down again. You can imagine how hard it is for me to write this letter-especially when you trusted me and released me to the Mount." Before ending the letter, Cofenas wrote, "I know you want to protect me and I appreciate your concern for me, but I ask you to consider the possibility of my staying at the Mount." Approximately one month later, Cofenas was transferred to St. Ignatius of Loyola, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. A Confidential Memorandum written by Monsignor John B. McCann and dated February 3, 2000, indicates that a known victim and the victim's father met with McCann and Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert to report sexual abuse at the hands of Cofenas. The victim reported that, in 1986 at the age of seventeen, he was abused by Cofenas. At the time of the abuse, Cofenas was assigned to St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Sinking Spring and served as the moderator of the Youth Group. As a high school graduation gift, Cofenas proposed taking the victim to the shore. Initially, the father of the victim was reluctant to allow this to occur but permitted it because of the trust he placed in Cofenas as a priest. The victim went on to describe in detail the events of the three-day trip with Cofenas. The victim and Cofenas held hands for the duration of the car ride to the shore. Once at the hotel, Cofenas provided alcohol to the victim, masturbated the victim, and coerced him to engage in oral sex. Cofenas and the victim showered together and slept in the same bed. According to the victim, sexual encounters with Cofenas continued until 1992, when Cofenas began blaming the victim for what had occurred. The victim's father reported that Cofenas made a sexual advance to his other son, which was rebuffed. In a January 12, 2004, report to the Vatican, and addressed to "Your Eminence," Bishop Edward P. Cullen admitted that the Diocese knew about Cofenas' inappropriate relationship with a sixteen -year -old boy in 1979. Cullen added that, on February 17, 2000, Cofenas admitted to the abuse of the victim in 1986. After his admission, Cofenas was sent to St. John Vianney Treatment Facility in Downingtown for therapy. Cullen wrote that the abused victim and his 324 family were demanding that Cofenas be laicized and "threatening to go to the public media if he is not." Cullen also wrote, "Currently there is great danger that this case could become public." The report recommended that Cofenas be laicized. Cofenas was receiving a monthly stipend and healthcare benefits from the Diocese. Cullen's final recommendation was that an "Administrative Penal Process be applied in this case." 325 Reverend David Connell Reverend Timothy Johnson Jim Gross Summary David Connell and Timothy Johnson were Carmelite priests and Jim Gross was a lay person. No additional assignments could be located within Diocesan files. A record received from the Diocese in form of a memorandum written by the Victim Assistance Coordinator indicates that, in September 2007, a known victim reported he had been sexually abused by Gross, a basketball coach at St. Patrick's in Pottsville. He reported that the abuse began in the 1970's while he was in sixth grade. Information provided by the Diocese indicates Gross was employed at St. Patrick's in 1972. The victim did not provide any further details as to the abuse he endured from Gross. In the summer of 1984, Gross resigned from teaching at St. Francis School in Minersville, Schuylkill County. In the narrative of his last evaluation from June 1984 is written, "He had too familiar relationships with his pupils." The victim reported that he knew Gross had later been charged for sexual abuse of a child but was acquitted. The victim stated he spoke with Gross' attorney, who confided in the victim that Gross was certainly guilty and he was only doing his job. The victim did not report where or when Gross stood trial. The victim also reported that he was sexually abused by a Carmelite priest named Father David Connell and physically abused by a Carmelite brother named Timothy Johnson while attending Nativity High School. The abuse was reported to the Provincial of the Carmelites, Father Michael Kis sane, in October 2007. The victim stated that his family's house had burned down and the Carmelites took him and his brother in and had them live in a priory. During the time he was living in the priory, the victim was sexually abused by Connell. The victim remembered drinking juice that Connell gave him and the next memory the victim had was waking up in his own bed naked, with Connell in the room. The victim had no memory of the prior evening but, on waking, he was bleeding from his rectum. On another occasion, Connell made him tea and after drinking it he began to get a bad headache. The victim reported he was then sexually abused by Connell. The victim gave no further details about the abuse but stated that, even though he was strong and athletic, he could not stop Connell from abusing him because he was drugged. The victim went on to report to Kissane that he went to Brother Johnson for help and told Johnson about the abuse he endured at the hands of Connell and his former basketball coach Gross. The victim told Johnson he was going to also report the abuse to the police. Johnson told the victim not to report the abuse to the police but the victim insisted on reporting. At this point Johnson began to severely beat the victim with a big leather belt and told the victim that, if he reported the abuse to the police, he would beat him even worse. The victim reported to Kissane that the victim's brother was also abused by Connell but that his brother never spoke about it. 326 Summary Kissane informed the victim that other allegations of sexual abuse had been made against Connell. A "Confidential Report," presumably written by Chancellor Anthony D. Muntone, indicated that, in May 1976, it was reported to Muntone that Connell made a sexual advance on a male high school student while on a camping trip. While camping, Connell convinced the student that they sleep together to stay warm. The student reported that Connell "made a pass at him" while they were sleeping together. The student was able to rebuff the advance and Connell stopped. It was reported that the student was very upset over the incident and was a "reliable and trustworthy" individual. No further information exists as to any additional steps taken in regards to the sexual advance by Connell. Kis sane informed the victim that Connell was no longer with the Carmelite priests. Kissane told the victim that, after his time in Pottsville, Connell was assigned to a diocese in Texas but Kissane believed he was removed from ministry and no longer active. Kissane said he had no idea where Connell was. Kissane stated that Johnson had been ordained a priest and was living in retirement in Florida. Kis sane indicated he would confront Johnson in the near future since he would soon be making a trip to Florida. No other information exists indicating whether Kis sane followed through with confronting Johnson about the victim's allegations. Other records show the Diocese and the Carmelite priests split a cost of $4,500 for therapy for the victim. Johnson died in 2016. 327 Reverend James Gaffney Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1957 N/A June 8, 1985 Employment/Assignment History 5/1985 - 6/1987 St. Ursula, Fountain Hill, PA 6/1987 - 6/1991 Reading Central Catholic High School 6/1987 - 1/1992 St. Catherine of Siena, Mt. Penn, PA 1/1992 - 6/1992 Sick Leave (The Servants of the Paraclete, New Mexico) 6/1992 - 1/1995 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, PA 4/1994 - 1/1995 Sick Leave (The Servants of the Paraclete) 1/1995 - 2/1995 Notre Dame of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA 2/1995 - 6/1995 St. Mary of the Assumption, Coaldale, PA 6/1995 - 6/1999 Assisted with six parishes in Shenandoah 6/1999 - 4/2002 St. Patrick, Pottsville 4/2002 6/26/2015 Abandoned ministry Dismissed from Priesthood Summary Father James Gaffney began work as a Diocesan priest in 1985. However, records received from the Diocese of Allentown indicate that, in 1980, years before being ordained as a priest, Gaffney questioned his vocation and wrote in a letter to Monsignor Muntone that he was "convinced beyond all doubt that I need time off and will not return to the Roman Seminary or any other seminary this year." In 1982, it was recommended that Gaffney be dropped from "our program of formation." Monsignors Thompson and Muntone and Chancery personnel met and the decision was made not to dismiss. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Gaffney was reported to have been involved in inappropriate and even sexual relations with adult women, one of which had a learning disability and whom he was counseling. Gaffney was placed on sick leave on two different occasions. In 1999, a known victim reported to Monsignor John B. McCann that she had been sexually abused by Gaffney while he was assigned as Assistant Pastor at St. Ursula's Church. Other than a one -paragraph memorandum reporting the abuse, no more information was provided to the Diocese until the mother of the victim renewed the allegation of abuse on April 24, 2002. The victim met with Chancery personnel and informed them that, when she was fourteen years old and in eighth grade, Gaffney befriended her. The victim worked at the rectory answering phones. Gaffney had her undress and "measured her body parts." Gaffney had sexual contact with her that continued throughout the time Gaffney was at the parish. Monsignors McCann and Schlert confronted Gaffney with the report of abuse. Gaffney denied the 328 Summary allegations. McCann and Schlert told Gaffney to carefully think about the allegations and to consider taking a leave of absence if there was any truth to them. As he was on his way home after the meeting, Gaffney called to tell McCann and Schlert that he was taking a leave of absence. On September 27, 2004, a second victim filed a civil complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County. The second victim reported that the abuse began in 1990 when she was sixteen and a student at Reading Central Catholic High School, where Gaffney was Vice Principal and Disciplinarian. Gaffney provided her counseling, which led to the sexual abuse. The second victim reported that her parents were going through a divorce and she was experiencing depression. Gaffney took advantage of her depressed state. The second victim reported that Gaffney routinely took her for car rides and would discuss topics such as intercourse, oral sex, and masturbation. During the rides Gaffney started to require her to place her hands on his penis. On one occasion, Gaffney exposed his erect penis to the second victim in his office at the high school. The second victim reported that eventually Gaffney took her to a private residence where he required her to submit to intercourse with him. Gaffney also repeatedly required the second victim to submit to him performing numerous sex acts on her and required her to perform sex acts on him. On December 2, 2004, a third known victim reported abuse at the hands of Gaffney in 1986-1987, when Gaffney was assigned to St. Catharine of Siena in Mount Penn, Berks County. The third victim worked in the rectory answering phones in the evening. She had a very poor home life and Gaffney counseled her. The third victim reported that Gaffney would hug her and inappropriately touch and kiss her, which led to sexual arousal. The Diocese referred the third victim to counseling and spiritual direction. A report by Monsignors Gobitas and James to Bishop Barnes, dated July 18, 2011, indicates that the reports of abuse by the first and third victims were credible, while the report of abuse by the second victim was "entitled to a presumption of truth." Also, Gobitas and James found that all three reports of abuse "point to a consistent pattern of behavior on the part of Father Gaffney." Although Gaffney took a leave of absence in 2002, he continued to receive health and other insurance for the next nine years from the Diocese, even though he abandoned all ministry. Gobitas and James recommended that Gaffney be dismissed from the clerical state and that he never be able to exercise public ministry for the remainder of his life. Based on reports from both "qualified and professional personnel," it was the belief of Gobitas and James that Gaffney remained a potential danger to minors. However, Gaffney went on to obtain employment as a college professor at Albright College. The Diocese never warned the College of Gaffney's history of sexually abusing children. Gaffney was called as a witness before the Grand Jury on September 14, 2016 and again on May 8, 2017. Gaffney stated that no member of law enforcement had ever contacted him regarding his conduct until he received a subpoena ordering him to appear before the Grand Jury. Gaffney admitted to sexual contact with at least one female student. The attorney for the Commonwealth reminded Gaffney that he was under oath. Gaffney was then asked if he had sexual contact with other children as a priest and he answered, "Yes. It is possible." Gaffney 329 Summary blamed a faulty memory for a lack of specifics. However, Gaffney detailed sexual contact with a minor in a car, on school property, and at other locations. Gaffey admitted he also disclosed that, while interning at St. Joseph's in Summit Hill in 1980, he located child pornography within the parish. The image depicted Father David Soderlund masturbating a 12 -year -old boy. Gaffney reported his finding to the Diocese and Monsignor Muntone. Gaffney and Muntone located albums of photographs depicting Soderlund sexually abusing children. A meeting was held with the District Attorney of Carbon County, who promised not to prosecute Soderlund if he was transferred and received treatment. After a brief removal from ministry on health leave, Soderlund was returned to ministry. The volumes of evidence of sexually abused children that were manufactured by Soderlund as he committed the crimes, after being found by Gaffney and Muntone, were never seen again. 330 Reverend Joseph Galko Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1944 N/A 1980 Employment/Assignment History 5/1980 - 6/1982 St. Paul, Reading, PA 6/1982 - 1/1983 St. Anne, Bethlehem, PA 1/1983 - 6/1986 St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA 6/1986 - 7/1987 St. Bernard, Easton, PA 2/12/1988 6/2010 Placed on Administrative leave Dismissed from the Priesthood Summary Father Joseph Galko was ordained and began work in the Diocese in 1980. Records received from the Diocese indicate that, as early as 1984, the Diocese was aware of inappropriate sexual conduct by Galko. Galko admitted to the Diocesan Chancellor in 1984 to having sexual contact with a male parishioner who was eighteen at the time. Galko also admitted that, while at St. Ambrose in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, he inappropriately touched a male while they were in the rectory. Galko performed oral sex on the male and had the male perform oral sex on him. Galko further admitted to "occasional occurrences" over a span of many years including the time before he entered the seminary, while he was in the seminary, and after his ordination. Galko was moved to St. Bernard's in Easton in 1986. A "Summary of Case" time -line and other documents received from the Diocese indicate that, in 1987, while serving at St. Bernard's, Galko "spends too much time with the altar servers," and another pastor in the parish expressed concern regarding Galko's interaction with adolescent males in the parish. Galko was then sent for treatment at the "Downingtown facility." The Summary of Case time -line indicates a therapist at the facility described Galko as a "pathological liar." Additionally, it was noted that the therapist did not know "if anything can be done for him." In 1988, Galko was placed on administrative leave but was not dismissed from the priesthood until 2010. In 2002, the Diocese received a report of sexual abuse from a known victim. The victim reported that, in 1980 or 1981, when he was 17 to 18 -years -old, Galko fondled him after giving him alcohol. The abuse occurred in Galko's room in the rectory and lasted about twenty minutes. A second incident occurred as the victim was leaving the confessional and Galko touched his 331 Summary buttocks. The Diocese offered the victim their condolences, offered counseling, and encouraged the victim to go the Berks county District Attorney if he desired. In 2007, the Diocese received a report of sexual abuse by Galko from a second known victim. This victim reported that, when he was approximately thirteen years old and in eighth grade at St. Anne's School in Bethlehem, Galko was assigned to St. Anne's. The second victim met Galko when he had taken some things to the rectory. He stated that Galko made him feel special and that he really liked Galko. When the second victim was in eighth grade, Galko began to take him to the rectory and give him alcohol. Once the second victim was drunk, Galko would touch him inappropriately and have the victim touch Galko inappropriately. Galko was confronted with the allegation by Monsignors Gobitas and Schlert. Galko admitted that the allegation was true. The Diocese laicized Galko and he was eventually dismissed from the priesthood. 332 Reverend Edward George Ganster Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1943 2014 March 27, 1971 Employment/Assignment History 4/13/1971 - 8/19/1975 Assistant Pastor, Notre Dame, Bethlehem, PA 4/13/1971 - 2/4/1972 Associate Professor, Bethlehem Catholic HIGH SCHOOL, PA 7/9/1973 - 10/10/1978 Regional Director, C.Y. 0., Bethlehem District 8/19/1975 - 9/9/1976 Assistant, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, PA 9/9/1976 - 10/10/1978 St. Joseph, Easton, PA 10/10/1978 - 6/15/1981 Assistant, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA 10/10/1978 - 6/15/1981 American Catholic Overseas Aid Fund 6/15/1981 - 5/4/1982 Pastor, St. Joseph, Frackville, PA 9/18/1981 - 4/2919/1986 Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. James 10/08/1981 - 2/1/1982 Sick Leave 2/1/1982 - 5/4/1982 Returned as Pastor, St. Joseph, Frackville, PA 5/4/1982 - 9/7/1982 Sick Leave 9/7/1982 - 1/18/1983 Assistant, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA 10/01/1982 - 7/25/1983 Catholic Student Advisor, Penn State University Campus 1/18/1983 - 4/29/1986 1/13/1984 2/10/1984 - 4/29/1986 4/29/1986 - 3/3/1988 7/10/1986 - 6/13/1988 12/27/1987 8/8/1990 7/3/2014 Ministry Pastor, SS. Peter and Paul, Tower City, PA Member, Diocesan Building Committee Member, Budget Board, Cardinal Brennan HIGH SCHOOL Holy Ghost, Bethlehem, PA Regional Director, Pro -Life, Northampton Deanery, PA Sick Leave Laicized Deceased 333 Summary In 2002, a victim, then aged thirty-seven, married, and the father of two children, contacted the Diocese and reported that, when he was 14 years old and an altar boy at St. Joseph in Frackville, he was fondled and groped by Father Edward George Ganster. On one occasion, Ganster dragged the boy across a living room floor, pulling him by the underwear. Ganster also beat the victim repeatedly, once using a metal cross. The abuse at the hands of Ganster lasted for over one and a half years and all happened in St. Joseph's Rectory. The victim made a second report to the Diocese in March 2004. Despite having two reports and having given counseling to the victim, the Diocese did not report the abuse to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office until 2007. In 2005, the mother of a second victim reported to the Diocese that her now adult son was sexually abused in 1977 by Ganster, when the second victim was thirteen years of age. The mother permitted the second victim to accompany Ganster to the beach on an overnight trip. Sometime after that trip, the second victim told his parents that Ganster hurt him and got in bed with him. He also stated that something happened in the confessional. The second victim told his parents not long after the incidents occurred. The mother immediately told Monsignor Connelly about the abuse. According to the second victim's mother, Monsignor Connelly said he would take care of the situation. Connelly told her that Ganster would be given some counseling and would be removed from the parish. The following Sunday at Mass, Ganster announced he was being reassigned. Still, the second victim's life spiraled out of control with broken relationships and anger issues resulting from the abuse. In 2015, the mother of a third victim contacted the Diocese and reported that her son was abused by Ganster in the summer of 1977, when the third victim was twelve years old. No more information regarding this incident was provided by the Diocese. Ganster was placed on sick leave at the end of 1987 and sent to St. John Vianney Hospital in Downingtown in 1988. Ganster was eventually laicized at his request, as he wanted to get married and was already working in the secular world. The Diocese agreed and laicized him in 1990. As he was in the process of being laicized, Ganster wrote the Diocese indicating he would be seeking employment at Walt Disney World and hoped to use the Diocese as a reference. Ganster also indicated he was planning on marrying a woman he met at St. John Vianney. In a letter to the Bishop of Orlando, Nobert Dorsey, from the Bishop of Allentown, Thomas Welsh, Welsh informed Dorsey that Ganster intended to marry. Welsh told Dorsey Ganster met his future bride while at St. John Vianney, adding, "I don't know her problems. His were at least partially sexual and led to my decision that I could not reassign him." Despite knowing Ganster was a sexual predator, Monsignor Muntone responded to Ganster's request for a reference by writing, "I am quite sure that the Diocese will be able to give you a positive reference in regard to the work you did during your years of service here as a priest." With the reference, Ganster was hired by Walt Disney World and worked there for the next eighteen years. 334 Reverend Francis T. Gillespie Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1931 N/A May 7, 1959 Employment/Assignment History 5/1959 - 5/1963 St. Joseph's, Girardville, PA 5/1963 - 10/1965 Nativity HS, Pottsville, PA 6/1963 - 9/1963 St. Patrick's, Pottsville, PA (Asst. Pro Tem) 6/1965 - 3/1969 Notre Dame of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA 3/1966 - 5/1972 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, PA / Moravian College 5/1972 - 11/1974 11/1974 - 9/1994 9/1994 - 11/1996 11/1996 - 12/2002 12/13/2002 (student advisor) Our lady of Mount Carmel, Minersville, PA St. Joseph's, Girardville, PA St. Margaret, Reading, PA Annunciation of B.V.M., Catasauqua, PA Retired Summary In September 2002, a victim wrote a letter reporting sexual abuse by Father Francis T. Gillespie. The victim reported that, while he was an altar boy at about the age of ten at St. Joseph's in Girardville, Gillespie began grooming him for future abuse. Gillespie acted overly affectionately towards the victim and began hugging him in private. The victim wrote that he had been taught to "respect and trust these religious figureheads." Gillespie then had the victim stay after Mass and help count the collection money. The victim's parents allowed it since they too trusted the clergy and believed Gillespie would be a good influence on the victim. During his time with Gillespie, Gillespie would ask the victim questions about lust and sex, and how much he weighed. The victim remembers Gillespie had a scale in his room and would weigh the victim. Gillespie would have the victim undress to his underwear and get on the scale. Even though he was a child at the time, the victim knew this behavior was strange and not right but thought Gillespie, a clergyman, could not have bad intentions. Gillespie then had the victim take off his underwear to get an "exact weight." Gillespie then used a measuring tape to measure the victim around the waist and inseam. The victim remembers Gillespie putting his fingers and measuring tape against the victim's groin. At that point the victim froze and did not know what to do. He felt he could not say anything since Gillespie was a priest. Later, the victim heard other altar boys talking about Gillespie and his scale and measuring tape. The victim reported that he stayed the night at Gillespie's residence on several occasions. Gillespie would have the victim dress in costumes and then take pictures of the victim. The victim would then undress from the costume into his clothes. The victim can still remember the 335 Summary flash of a Polaroid camera going off as he changed. The victim reported that Gillespie would drink alcohol during the sleepovers. The victim recalled an occasion when Gillespie gave him cold medication and in addition had him drink alcohol. The victim described this night as a "blackout" and "confusing." The victim recalls waking up naked in bed with Gillespie, Gillespie had his arm around the victim. The victim felt Gillespie's erect penis against his back. The victim recalls freezing at that point. Gillespie eventually allowed the victim to get out of bed and take a shower. As the victim was finishing up with his shower, Gillespie walked into the bathroom naked and tried to enter the shower with the victim. The victim quickly got out of the shower and tried to pretend that the entire abusive situation was normal. In three separate documents regarding the victim, all provided by the Diocese, the victim reported that Gillespie performed oral sex on him. A known second victim, the older brother of the first victim, wrote a letter to the Diocese in 2003 describing abuse by Gillespie. The second victim wrote that he was an altar boy at St. Joseph's in Girardville. When the second victim was about fourteen years old, Gillespie began grooming him in the same fashion as his brother, befriending him and having him help count the collection money. The second victim wrote, "My respect and admiration for this man was very great and I trusted him with my life; a mistake I would pay for the rest of my life." The second victim reported that Gillespie would weigh and measure him in a room on the second floor of the rectory while he was naked. Gillespie also would have the second victim measure Gillespie while Gillespie was naked. The second victim said Gillespie would touch his genitals and buttocks during the weighing and measuring. The second victim described the last time he went to the parish rectory to be measured and weighed by Gillespie. Gillespie came up behind the second victim while he stood naked on the scale and placed the second victim in a wrestling hold called a full nelson. While in the full nelson, the second victim's arms were pinned back and controlled by Gillespie. The second victim was smaller than Gillespie and could not fight him off. The second victim reported that Gillespie then "rubbed his penis off my anus and sexually abused me. This sickened me to my stomach and never again would I return to St. Joseph's Rectory." The second victim was so ashamed of what had happened he could not tell his mother. Shortly after the incidents occurred in the 1980s, the second victim wrote a letter to the Diocese describing the abuse by Gillespie. The victim never received a response. After reports of abuse in the Boston Diocese in 2002, the second victim told his wife that Gillespie had abused him. Prior to writing a letter to the Diocese in 2003, the second victim learned through his mother that Gillespie had abused his brother as well. The second victim wrote, "It was his courage and bravery in coming forward that gave me the strength to write this letter." 336 Richard J. Guiliani Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1942 N/A March 9, 1968 Employment/Assignment History 3/1968 - 5/6198 5/1968 - 6/1969 6/1969 - 9/1969 9/1969 - 6/1970 6/1970 - 6/1970 6/1970 - 6/1973 6/1973 - 6/1974 6/1974 - 6/1974 6/1974 - 6/1974 1977 2011 Assistant, St. Peter, Reading, PA. Regional Director, Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, Berks Co Assistant, St. Canicus, Mahanoy City, PA Assistant, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, PA Professor, Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA Resident, Sacred Heart, Miller Heights, PA Vice Principal, Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA Principal, Cardinal Brennan High School, Fount Springs Resident, St. Vincent de Paul, Girardville, PA. Absent without leave from the Allentown Diocese Last known address: St. Augustine, Florida Summary In October 2003, a victim wrote to Bishop Edward Cullen stating that she had been sexually abused by Father Richard Guiliani. The victim was abused from the time she was fourteen through age eighteen, between the years 1971 and 1975. Guiliani befriended the victim and her family at a time when the victim was having difficulties with her family. Guiliani began with hugging and kissing the victim and increased with fondling the victim's genitals through her clothing. Guiliani simulated sex with the victim through the victim's clothing. Guiliani fondled the victim's genitals and buttocks and forced the victim to fondle his genitals. Guiliani made the victim masturbate him and forcibly masturbated and digitally penetrated the victim. Guiliani simulated anal sex on the victim and forced the victim to perform oral sex on him. The abuse occurred at the victim's high school, Norte Dame High School in Easton, at the victim's home, at Guiliani's sister's home, or in Guiliani's car. The victim remembers Guiliani was often drinking heavily when the abuse occurred. The victim recalled Guiliani telling her that he would protect her, that she could trust him, and that she should keep coming to him for help. Guiliani told the victim she deserved to be "cared for" and "loved." The victim recalled the last time she had contact with Guiliani was when she was a freshman in college. Guiliani visited the victim and brought her an eighteenth birthday present. Guiliani wanted to have sex with the victim and asked her to marry him. The victim refused to have further sexual involvement with Guiliani and declined his marriage proposal. Guiliani never contacted the victim again. 337 Summary The victim reported that two other priests at her high school knew about Guiliani's sexual abuse of her. The two other priests were Father Leo Houseknecht and Father William Jones, who were friends of Guiliani. Additionally, Jones would be verbally crude in school towards the victim and Houseknecht was physically affectionate to the victim, hugging her and rubbing his erect penis against her while at school or while visiting her at her home. The victim reported the sexual abuse when she was twenty years old and in college. She spoke to Father Hubert J. Kealy of the Newman House on the campus of Millersville State College and told him of the abuse by Guiliani. During this same time, the victim also told Father Steven Maco, a family friend, about the abuse. Both priests failed to act and were "unresponsive and in denial" about what the victim told them. The Diocese did not report the abuse to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office until January 2011, over seven years after they were first notified of the abuse. In May 2004, a second victim came forward to report abuse by Guiliani. The second victim was sixteen years old and a student at Cardinal Brennan High School in Ashland, Schuylkill County, where Guiliani was the principal. In December 1976, as the victim was doing her homework in the gymnasium of Cardinal Brennan, Guiliani approached and asked second victim to accompany him to Boscov's Department Store in Pottsville to assist him in buying Christmas presents for his nieces and nephews. The second victim held Guiliani in a position of trust and went with him to shop. During the ride back in the car, Guiliani asked the second victim to get something out of the back seat. When the second victim did so, Guiliani reached under the second victim's dress and squeezed and fondled her vagina and buttocks. Guiliani abused his position of power and trust as a priest and principal to take advantage of the second victim's sexual naiveté. In January 2011, over seven years after learning of the abuse, the Diocese reported the abuse of the second victim to the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office. Records reflect that Guiliani left the ministry in 1977 and his whereabouts are unknown. Houseknecht was deceased at the time victim number one reported the abuse and Jones had been "removed" from ministry. 338 REDACTED -- ONGOING APPELLATE LITIGATION Reverend Joseph D. Hulko Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1940 N/A May 20, 1967 Employment/Assignment History 6/1/1967 - 8/24/1970 Priest Professor, Reading Central Catholic High School 6/1/1967 - 8/17/1970 Resident, SS Cyril and Methodius, Reading, PA 7/9/1969 7/6/1970 - 8/17/1970 8/17/1970 - 8/24/1970 8/24/1970 - 6/20/1977 8/24/1970 - 6/18/1971 6/18/1971 - 10/18/1971 10/18/1971 - 6/20/1977 6/20/1977 - 1/6/1978 1/6/1978 - 8/16/1982 6/20/1978 - 10/1/1982 9/4/1981 - 2/15/1982 8/16/1982 - 6/20/1985 6/20/1985 - 6/16/1987 11/1/1986 - 11/1/1989 6/16/1987 - 9/27/1988 9/27/1988 - 6/14/1990 11/1/1989 - 10/31/1992 6/14/1990 - 9/2/1994 8/3/1992 11/1/1992 - 10/31/1995 9/2/1994 - 1/01/1995 1/1/1995 - 6/15/1995 6/15/1995 - 6/13/2000 6/13/2000 - 8/31/2003 9/1/2003 Advocate, Diocesan Tribunal Newman Center, Bethlehem, PA Resident, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA Principal, Nativity High School, Pottsville, PA Resident, Mary Queen of Peace, Pottsville, PA Chaplain, St. Francis Orphanage, Orwigsburg, PA Resident, St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, PA Assistant, St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, PA Pastor, St. Michael, Lansford, PA Regional Director, Family Life Center, Berks, Carbon and East Schuylkill Counties, PA Sick Leave Sick Leave Assistant Pastor, St. Margaret, Reading, PA Assistant Pastor Representative, Council of Priests Assistant Pastor, St. John Baptist de LaSalle, Shillington, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Bernard, Easton, PA Pastor Representative, Council of Priests Assistant Professor, St. Joseph, Limeport, PA Assistant Pastor Representative, Advisory Committee, Priestly Life and Ministry Assistant Pastor Representative, Council of Priests Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, PA Resident, Holy Family Villa, Assistant Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Easton, PA Assistant Pastor, Notre Dame of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA Retired 339 Summary In September 2003, Father Joseph Hulko admitted to the Diocese that he sexually abused a minor female while he was the Chaplain at St. Francis Orphanage in Orwigsburg, between June 18, 1971, and October 18, 1971. Hulko expressed that he had been troubled by it for a number of years, which prompted him to admit the abuse. Hulko was interviewed in 2012. At the outset of the interview, Hulko volunteered that he did not engage in oral sex with the victim. Hulko met the victim at the orphanage and had sexual contact with her. The victim was a teenage resident of the orphanage. Shortly after starting his assignment at the orphanage, Hulko sat in the television room with female minor residents. It was night and the girls were dressed in sleeping clothes. Hulko sat next to the victim, who was wearing "low cut" sleeping clothes so that her breasts were partially exposed. Hulko, motivated by "curiosity," touched the victim's right bare breast. Hulko claimed that this was his first sexual contact with the victim. Hulko stated he did not know how old the victim was at the time but believed she was of high school age. Based on the victim's date of birth, she was fourteen years old when Hulko touched her breast. Hulko said that he knew what he did was "wrong" and "I'm a priest and she's an orphan girl." The second time Hulko had sexual contact with the victim was when he kissed her at her grandmother's house. Hulko told the investigator that, between the time he touched the victim's breast and the time he kissed her, he was never alone with the victim. As the interview progressed, Hulko revised his story and told the investigator that on multiple occasions he was alone with the victim and kissed her. Hulko described the kisses as "long passionate kisses" and described himself as a "sex addict." When the investigator challenged Hulko's truthfulness, Hulko ended the interview. The investigator wrote in his report that he believed "Hulko deliberately tried to conceal the truth about type and frequency of sexual contact" with the victim. A document produced by the Diocese, dated July 2012, was entitled "Personal Safety Plan, Rev. Joseph D. Hulko (HJA)." In a section entitled "Summary of Problem Behaviors," the following was written: The victim has recently been identified and alleges that there were many instances of HJA kissing her, touching her genitals, grabbing at her body and clothes in HJA's orphanage room, in his car, in the victim's orphanage room, and whenever and wherever HJA found time alone with the victim on orphanage property. The victim reported that there was oral sex between her and HJA in his room. The victim was 14 or 15 years old at the time of the abuse and the abuse occurred over approximately a one year period, as much as twice a week. Prior to Hulko admitting to the sexual abuse of a minor, he was sent for "treatment" six different times between 1982 and 2003. In a letter to Hulko's mother dated August 11, 1982, in which Monsignor Muntone was carbon copied, a psychologist from Lehigh Valley Associates wrote, "At your request I spoke to 340 Summary Monsignor Muntone regarding your son's temporary placement ... Monsignor has assured me that Joe is safe and doing well ... Considering the delicacy of the situation, I agree that no one should know where Joe is at this time." Hulko was at Trinity Retreat Center, New Rochelle, New York. After his stay at Trinity, Hulko was reported to be on "Sick Leave" for three years, until 1985. Over the next two decades, Hulko was given twelve different assignments and sent for "treatment" an additional five times before his retirement in 2003. Monsignor Gerald E. Gobitas wrote in a memorandum dated January 15, 2015, to administrative personnel that Hulko had moved to Robertsville, Missouri, and "please send his pension checks directly to him." 341 Monsignor William E. Jones, V. F. Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1934 2004 May 14, 1960 Employment/Assignment History 5/27/1960 - 3/12/1963 Annunciation B.V.M., Shenandoah, PA 3/12/1963 - 3/26/1968 St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA 3/26/1968 - 12/119/69 St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA 12/1/1969 - 8/24/1970 St. Jane Frances, Easton, PA 8/24/1970 - 4/4/1972 Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA 4/4/1972 - 6/20/1972 St. Jane Frances, Easton, PA 6/20/1972 - 6/11/1973 6/11/1973 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 6/17/1975 6/17/1975 - 7/1/1978 7/1/1978 - 11/7/1978 11/7/1978 - 3/10/1981 3/1019/81 - 11/7/1983 11/7/1983 - 5/24/1984 5/24/1984 - 11/1/1984 11/1/1984 - 3/13/1985 3/13/1985 - 8/20/1991 8/20/1991 - 11/1/1993 11/1/1993 - 11/26/1996 11/26/1996 - 5/3/1996 503/1996 - 10/29/1997 10/29/1997 - 4/04/1998 4/4/1998 - 3/25/1999 3/25/1999 - 10/1/1999 10/1/1999 - 2/1/2000 2/1/2000 - 9/20/2000 9/20/2000 - 4/11/2002 4/11/2002 Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA St. Jane Frances, Easton, PA St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, PA St. Mary, St. Clair, PA Nativity B.V.M. High School, Pottsville, PA St. Joseph, Summit Hill, PA St. Joseph, Summit Hill, PA St. Vincent de Paul, Minersville, PA Representative, Diocesan Board of Education, West Schuylkill County, PA St. Patrick's, Pottsville, PA South Schuylkill Deanery, Council of Priests, PA South Schuylkill Deanery, PA Budget Board Nativity B.V.M. High Sch. Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, John Paul II South Schuylkill Deanery Dean of South Schuylkill Deanery (post was held until 11/26/99 in conjunction with the following duties/dates) Diocesan Negotiating Team Board of Seton Manor, Inc. Nativity B.V.M. High School Budget/Audit Board. (held until 09/2001) South Schuylkill Deanery, Diocesan Negotiating Team President of the Catholic Housing Corporation, Queen of Peace Apartments, Pottsville, PA Vicar Forane of South Schuylkill Deanery (held until 1/31/03) Pastor designated to consult on removal/transfer Resigned as pastor of St. Patrick's, Pottsville, PA 342 Reverend Michael S. Lawrence Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1947 2015 May 19, 1973 Employment/Assignment History 6/11/1973 - 6/14/1974 St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA 6/14/1974 - 11/14/1974 Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA 11/14/1974 - 12/10/1974 12/10/1974 - 6/17/1975 6/17/1975 - 12/15/1975 12/15/1975 - 6/20/1977 6/20/1977 - 6/20/1978 6/20/1978 - 8/1/1978 8/1/1978 - 3/25/1980 3/25/1980 - 11/9/1982 11/9/1982 - 3/23/1984 3/23/1984 - 6/18/1984 6/18/1984 - 8/9/1984 8/9/1984 - 1/15/1987 1/15/1987 - 6/22/1987 6/22/1987 - 3/8/1994 3/8/1994 - 6/1/1998 6/1/1998 - 1/1/2000 3/1/2002 - 4/22/2015 Sacred Heart, Miller Heights (resident/assistant) Reg. Coordinator of Adult Religious Education, North Hampton, PA St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, PA St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton, PA St. Anne, Bethlehem, PA Central Catholic High School, Allentown, PA St. Lawrence, Catasauqua, PA Diocesan Tribunal Holy Trinity, Whitehall, PA St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA St. Anthony, Easton, PA Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA St. Anthony, Easton, PA St. Joseph, Easton, PA Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA Immaculate Conception, Jim Thorpe, PA Sick Leave St. Paul, Allentown, PA Diocesan Tribunal Ministry to the Aging Diocesan Tribunal Catholic University of America (Graduate Studies-Canon Law) Divine Word College Retired 343 Summary M Information in the form of correspondence provided by the Diocese indicates that, on May 17, 2011, the wife of a known victim called the Diocese to report that her husband had been sexually abused by priests when he was in elementary and high school. It was reported that Lawrence abused the victim while he attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Bethlehem, Jones abused the victim while he attended Notre Dame High School in Easton, and abused the victim on an occasion when he visited the Seminary. The caller did not give any further information about the abuse. Attempts were made by the Diocese to interview the victim. The victim did not participate in any interviews or give any further information about the abuse. Information provided by the Diocese shows that they contacted the appropriate District Attorneys about the reported abuse. No further information was provided. On April 9, 2002, another known victim reported in writing to the Diocese that he was abused by Jones beginning when he was approximately fourteen and lasting until he was approximately sixteen. The abuse began when Jones hired him to work at bingo games at St. Vincent's in Minersville, Schuylkill County. The victim's mother was dying at the time and his father was rarely around. Jones began the abuse by placing his hand into the money apron of the victim and touching his penis on several occasions. Jones continued the abusive behavior on another occasion when the victim was locking up the gym at St. Vincent's after playing basketball with other boys. Jones approached the victim, placed his hand inside the victim's underwear, and touched his penis for several minutes. 344 REDACTED -- ONGOING APPELLATE LITIGATION Summary According to the victim, Jones also was physically abuse, once hitting him in the face with a "full wing" open hand after Jones believed the victim had misbehaved by running on a recently waxed floor. When the victim was fifteen, he went to the rectory looking for friends who often hung out there. He found Jones at the rectory, not his friends. Jones took him upstairs to watch television in a room next the Jones' bedroom. Jones took down the victim's pants, performed oral sex on the victim and told the victim he had a great body and not to get fat. Jones then shared the victim and friends of the victim with another sexual predator, Father Kean. Kean took the victim and five other boys to his home in Tower City, Schuylkill County. Kean performed oral sex on the victim and several other boys in the bedrooms of his home. Kean was undressed when he performed oral sex on the victim, who was fifteen at the time of abuse. Kean performed oral sex on him three times. The victim further reported that, when he was almost sixteen, Jones took him driving as practice for his driver's license test. While the victim was driving, Jones would fondle the victim's genitals. The victim reported this happening on several occasion. When the victim was sixteen, Jones took him into Jones' bedroom, took off his clothes, and then removed the victim's clothes. The victim and Jones were on the bed, where Jones performed oral sex on the victim and wanted the victim to touch Jones. Two days after the victim reported the abuse, the Diocese confronted Jones about the allegation. In a memorandum -to -file marked confidential, Monsignor John McCann wrote that he and Monsignor Alfred Schlert confronted Jones with the allegation of sexual abuse. Jones admitted to one specific instance of abuse in which he performed oral sex on the victim while the victim was fifteen. Jones denied all other allegations but offered his resignation and was advised he could not exercise any public ministry in the Diocese or elsewhere. A letter was prepared by Bishop Edward Cullen to be read to the parish of Jones' assignment at the time, St. Patrick's in Pottsville. The letter, which was eventually read to the parish, indicated that a "credible allegation of sexual misconduct" was made against Jones and that Jones was confronted with the allegation. The letter mentioned nothing about Jones actually admitting to the sexual abuse of a minor. According to information provided, then -District Attorney Frank Cori declined prosecution, citing the statute of limitations. The Diocese offered the victim counseling. On May 10, 2002, a second known victim came forward and advised Monsignor McCann in person that he too was sexually abused by Jones. The abuse occurred when the victim was thirteen years old and attending St. Francis in Allentown. The victim reported that the abuse was a single incident, about which he told his mother. The mother advised the victim to stay away from Jones and reported it no further. The victim told McCann he had not allowed this incident to ruin his life and declined counseling offered by McCann. No further information was provided as to the allegation brought by the second victim. 345 Summary On June 19, 2002, a third victim came forward to report Jones' predatory behavior to the Diocese. The third victim reported in writing to Bishop Cullen that, when he was fourteen years old, Jones took a "special interest" in him while he was attending St. Jane Francis in Easton. Jones encouraged him to take trips to the seminary in Philadelphia and would take the victim to dinner during the week, at one point serving him alcohol. Eventually Jones made it clear to the third victim that he wanted their relationship to become physical, telling the victim, "Don't knock it until you tried it." On another occasion when Jones made a sexual advance on the victim and the victim resisted, Jones became very agitated and in a threatening tone told the victim it would "not be prudent" to tell anyone about their conversations. The victim reported a final incident that occurred in 1972, when Jones asked him to "house sit" the rectory. While at the rectory, Jones "very directly" made his intentions clear for more "intimacy." Again the victim resisted. Jones' attitude towards him and his family became one of "rarely speaking to my parents or me" during the rest of his time at St. Jane Francis. The third victim ended his letter by pleading with the Bishop to "please protect people from this charming and articulate but very dangerous and damaged man " Cullen told the victim in a responsive letter that the information he provided would be shared with the District Attorney's Office. Jones was never laicized and remained a priest until his death in 2004. According to an article in the Pottsville Republican & Herald, at a memorial Mass held for Jones, Reverend Joseph T. Whalen delivered an emotional homily about Jones' life, describing Jones as a "jolly" man who "never neglected his priestly and Christian duties." Whalen told the paper that delivering the homily was very difficult since he had a close friendship with Jones. Even though Jones had confessed to the Diocese two years prior to his death that he sexually abused a boy, Whalen publicly proclaimed at the Mass that it was Jones who "suffered greatly his last years because of scandal" and "he suffered for more than a year at the hands of scandal." Records provided by the Diocese, including memos, e -mails, and other correspondence between the victim and Diocesan representatives, show that the first victim and his family truly suffered as they battled with the Diocese for the next eight years to receive paid counseling as they attempted to put their lives back together. Suspicions of Lawrence's pedophilic behavior were brought the attention of the church as early as 1970, when Lawrence was attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Lawrence's conduct is discussed at length in the body of this Report. 346 REDACTED -- ONGOING APPELLATE LITIGATION Reverend Joseph H. Kean Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1937 N/A March 7, 1964 Employment/Assignment History 3/1964 - 8/1964 St. Joseph, Ashland, PA 8/1964 - 6/1965 St. Mary, St. Clair, PA 6/1965 - 11/1967 St. Paul, Allentown, PA 1/1967 - 8/1970 St. Paul, Reading, PA 8/1970 - 2/1971 Annunciation, Shenandoah, PA 2/1971 - 12/1973 Marian HS, Tamaqua, PA 2/1971 - 12/1973 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Nesquehoning, PA 6/1973 - 6/1975 St.s Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, PA 6/1975 - 1/1977 St. Jane, Easton, PA 1/1977 - 1/1983 SS Peter and Paul, Tower City, PA 1/1983 - 9/1987 SS Peter and Paul, Lehighton, PA 9/1987 - 3/1993 St. Joseph, Ashland, PA 2/1/2002 6/26/2007 Retired Dismissed from Priesthood Summary On December 22, 1992, Reverend Francis J. Shuster wrote a letter to Bishop Thomas J. Welsh. Shuster related that he had been in contact with a parishioner who told him that her son was molested by Father Joseph H. Kean, then Pastor in Tower City. The sexual abuse was reported to have occurred when the victim was twelve years old and continued for several years. The mother of the victim told Shuster that her son had stayed the night with Kean in the rectory and had also spent a weekend with Kean once Kean was transferred to Lehighton. The mother of the victim also recalled Kean taking her son to Kean's parents' home to spend the night. The mother of the victim told Shuster she and her husband allowed these overnight stays to occur because they had "absolute trust and confidence in Father." On January 13, 1993, the mother of the victim personally informed the Chancellor of the sexual abuse of her son by Kean. The mother also reported that Kean had sexually abused a friend of her son's. On February 23, 1993, Welsh and Monsignor Anthony Muntone met with Kean and informed him of the accusation brought by the victim. Kean admitted to Welsh and Muntone that he had abused the victim and "apologized for any embarrassment he may have caused." Welsh asked Kean if he "had similar difficulties with other persons." Kean told Welsh and 347 Summary Muntone that there was another individual, a friend of the reporting victim that he abused around the same time. Kean indicated that if Welsh wished, he could apply for laicization. Welsh informed Kean he would have to go to the treatment center run by the Servants of the Paraclete in New Mexico. Kean asked if he would be returning to his current assignment at St. Joseph's in Ashland, Schuylkill Bishop Welsh informed Kean that he would not be returning to St. Joseph. After reviewing information obtained from the Diocese by subpoena, the Grand Jury learned that additional victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by Kean existed and were identified within the secret or confidential archives of the Diocese. A second victim of abuse by Kean came forward in 1999. The second victim wrote a letter to Kean shortly after meeting with Kean on April 30, 1999. In the letter, the second victim thanked Kean for Kean's admission of fault for sexually abusing him many years prior. He also enclosed another letter he had written two years earlier to Kean while in therapy but did not send. In the enclosed letter, the second victim wrote that he "decided to deal with the feelings/emotions I've repressed for many years regarding the sexual abuse I experienced with you" and "You took advantage of my innocence. You were so manipulative. If only I would have known, but I was only a child." He added, "You have many fine qualities, but many do not know your dark side. The person who took advantage of a young boy for his own sexual gratification." The second victim went on to say how dealing with the abuse at such a vulnerable age has had a significant negative impact on his life. On April 5, 2018, the second victim contacted the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General by telephone and provided more detail on his encounter with Kean. As a minor boy in the 1970's, he attended SS Peter and Paul Church in Tower City. He was in his early teens and an altar boy when he developed a close relationship with Kean. He noted Father Kean liked to wrestle with the altar boys often. The second victim remembered going to the movies, hanging out and playing at Kean's parents' house. On one occasion, he stayed the night at Kean's parents' house. Kean had the boy sleep in the same bed, which was located in the basement. The boy lay on his side while Kean gave him a massage. Kean started with the second victim's back and moved downward towards the genitals. Kean massaged his penis overtop his underwear. The second victim developed an erection and ejaculated, then left the room and cleaned up. He returned to sleep the rest of the night. Kean did not say anything to the child regarding what happened. In 1999, the victim contacted the Diocesan hotline for Clergy Abuse. He also confronted Kean about the abuse. At this time in 1999, Kean was on leave from ministry. In April 2002, a third victim reported being abused by Kean. The third victim reported that another priest, Monsignor William Jones, introduced and shared the victim and additional friends of the victim with Kean. The third victim reported that Kean took him and five other boys to his home in Tower City. Kean performed oral sex on the third victim and several other boys in the bedrooms of his home. The third victim reported that Kean was undressed when he performed oral sex on him. The third victim reported he was fifteen years old at the time of the abuse and that Kean performed oral sex on him three times. 348 Summary In February 2002, Kean retired from the priesthood and began to collect his pension, health insurance, life insurance, and car insurance benefits. In July 2005, the mother of a fourth victim called the Diocese to report that her son was sexually abused by Kean. It was reported that the abuse happened when her son was between the ages of ten and fifteen years old and an altar boy in Tower City. The fourth victim's mother stated the Kean clearly favored her son and that it was not unusual for Kean to take her son to Kean's parents' home. The fourth victim's parents had known about the abuse since their son was in his late teens but never came forward to tell anyone. In October 2005, the parents of a fifth victim reported to Monsignor Gobitas that their son had been sexually abused by Kean. After meeting with the parents of the fifth victim, Gobitas composed a one -page memorandum -to -file concerning the abuse. The fifth victim was reported by his parents to be addicted to heroin and suicidal. Kean abused the fifth victim in 1987 and 1988, while the fifth victim has in eight and ninth grades. The abuse occurred in St. Joseph's Rectory in Ashland and at Kean's parent's home. Gobitas wrote "the activity" ended when the fifth victim went into tenth grade. In a "Morality Incident Report," Gobitas reported that Kean would engage in immature behavior with the fifth victim such as "wrestling, chasing each other, tying each other up with rope, etc. In the midst of this behavior there were sexual assaults." Gobitas wrote that the fifth victim was unable to discuss many of the details at the time of reporting. 349 Reverend Thomas J. Kerestus Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1942 2014 May 24, 1969 Employment/Assignment History 6/11/1969 - 10/27/1969 Assistant, Annunciation B.V.M., Shenandoah, PA 10/27/1969 - 1/6/1970 Regional Director, C.Y.O., Mid -Schuylkill County 1/6/1970 - 8/24/1970 Area Chaplain, Appalachian Trail Scouting Council 8/24/1970 - 6/18/1970 6/18/1970 - 7/8/1971 7/8/1971 - 11/4/1974 11/4/1974 - 9/9/1976 9/9/1976 - 12/15/1977 12/15/1977 - 2/25/1982 2/25/1982 - 5/29/1986 5/29/1986 - 6/19/1986 6/19/1986 - 6/14/1990 6/14/1990 - 7/27/1993 7/27/1993 - 3/1/2002 3/1/2002 - 9/17/2014 Regional Director, Bishop's Overseas Aid, East Schuylkill County, PA Assistant, St. Peter, Reading, PA Assistant, Our Lady of Hungary, Northampton, PA Regional Director, C.Y.O., Northampton County, PA Assistant, Sacred Heart, W. Reading, PA Assistant, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA Regional Director, C.Y.O. West Schuylkill County, PA Pastor, St. Stephen of Hungary, Allentown, PA Pastor, St. John Capistrano, Bethlehem, PA Leave of Absence Assistant Pastor, Sacred Heart, Allentown, PA Chaplain, Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA Resident, Holy Family Villa Retired Summary Records of the Diocese of Allentown revealed that parishioners of St. John Capistrano in Bethlehem wrote multiple letters to Bishop Welsh between March 1985 and April 1986 informing him of their concern about Father Thomas Kerestus' relationship with a 16 -year-old boy. The parishioners were aware that Kerestus would take the boy to and from school daily, had taken the boy on vacations to Canada, Florida, and the New Jersey shore. Kerestus also bought the boy new clothes, a videocassette recorder, an organ, a guitar, and music lessons, and paid for the boy's dental bills. Additionally, Kerestus bought new furniture for the boy's family. Parishioners purchased a vehicle for the church, which was taken control of by Kerestus, registered in his name, and essentially given to the boy to drive. Several parishioners reported that the boy spent nights at the rectory with Kerestus despite living only two blocks away. One parishioner wrote that Kerestus has become "very deeply involved emotionally" with the boy and Kerestus and the boy were "inseparable." The same parishioner wrote that Kerestus' behavior around the boy was "inappropriate-very childish, wrestling, indecent touching." 350 Summary Another parishioner wrote that Kerestus drank heavily and "I think he gets drunk because he is hiding a problem." A different parishioner called the parish office and reported, "I see him [Kerestus] go after that kids balls. Forgive my language. This happened last year when we were in church decorating and cleaning up." Kerestus later admitted to the indecent touching of the boy while at Jemez Springs Center in New Mexico. The Diocese also produced very limited documents on another victim of Kerestus. In October 1992, the second victim called St. Ann's Rectory in Emmaus, Lehigh County, asking to speak with Monsignor Hoban, but spoke with Father Brennan. Father Coyle wrote a memorandum to Bishop Welsh summarizing the phone call to Brennan. The second victim reported that he had been sexually abused by Kerestus for five years. He was eighteen at the time of the report. Kerestus was a friend of the second victim's family. In the memorandum summarizing the phone call, Coyle wrote that the victim "spoke in detail about the relationship" and that the victim "sounded disturbed." During the phone call, the victim mentioned he had witnesses to the abuse. The victim was a given a phone number and advised to call Monsignor Muntone. The memorandum provided no further details. The Diocese provided a news article from the Allentown Morning Call detailing the arrest and troubled past of the second victim. The second victim attempted to kill his parents in a house fire and threatened to shoot himself in 1990, threatened to jump off his roof in 1992, and was arrested for statutory rape of a thirteen year-old girl, also in 1992. Diocesan records show that Kerestus began receiving his retirement in March 2002. The Diocese also provided a one page memorandum, dated June 16, 2005, from Thomas Dugan, Administrator of St. John Vianney Center, to Gobitas. In the memorandum, Dugan wrote, "Based on the results of a risk assessment, Father Thomas Kerestus' degree of risk for sexual re -offense was estimated in the moderate -high range." Dugan added: He was defensive on testing and does not take full accountability for his offense behaviors. He shows little contrition for his actions. Test results suggest he has attributes and behaviors very highly similar to those of known sex offenders and the condition of sexual deviance may be a component of his personality makeup. Kerestus remained on retirement status until his death in 2014. In April 2016, a third victim came forward to report sexual abuse by Kerestus. The third victim reported that Kerestus abused him beginning when he was fifteen years old. The abuse occurred from 1975 to 1980, while the victim was a student at Holy Name High School in West Reading. 351 Reverend Francis Joseph McNelis Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1938 2005 May 22, 1965 Employment/Assignment History 6/1/1965 - 6/1/1966 Annunciation B.V.M., Shenandoah, PA 6/1/1966 - 11/1/1966 St. Joseph, Girardville, PA 11/1/1966 - 8/4/1967 Regional Director, C.Y.O., East Schuylkill County, PA 8/4/1967 - 6/11/1969 Regional Director, Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, East Schuylkill 6/11/1969 - 6/3/1970 6/3/1970 - 6/9/1970 6/9/1970 - 9/25/1970 9/25/1970 - 4/4/1972 4/4/1972 - 9/19/1972 9/19/1972 - 8/30/1974 8/30/1974 - 6/17/1975 6/17/1975 - 6/16/1980 6/16/1980 - 6/20/1985 6/20/1985 - 6/4/1993 6/4/1993 - 1/14/1994 1/14/1994 - 3/1/2002 3/1/2002 County, PA St. Jerome, Tamaqua, PA St. Theresa, Hellertown, PA Regional Director, C.Y.O., Northampton County, PA St. John the Baptist, Shillington, PA St. Francis, Easton, PA Regional Director, Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, Northampton County, PA St. Ann, Emmaus, PA St. Mary, and St. Boniface, St. Clair, Schuylkill County, PA St. Mary, St. Clair, Schuylkill County, PA St. Mary, Hamburg, PA Sick Leave (Jemez Springs, New Mexico) St. Ignatius, Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA Retired Summary In December 1992, a known victim reported that, between 1966 and 1968, Father Francis McNelis sexually abused him when he was between the ages of 10 and 13. McNelis masturbated the victim after having him lay on his back on McNelis' bed in the rectory. McNelis eventually forced the victim to masturbate McNelis. McNelis also told the victim he wanted to have anal sex with him. According to the victim, McNelis masturbated him on five or six occasions but anal sex did not occur. Records provided by the Diocese show McNelis was sent to Jemez Springs for "spiritual and professional care." After his stay at Jemez Springs, the Diocese assigned McNelis to St. Ignatius Loyola as an Associate Pastor. On McNelis' assignment listing, which was provided by the Diocese, and next to his St. Ignatius assignment in parenthesis is a notation, "Notfor Publication." Despite repeated requests by McNelis to be reassigned, McNelis remained at St. Ignatius until he retired in 2002. 352 In 2004, a second victim came forward and reported sexual abuse by McNelis. After several years of grooming by McNelis, in 1968, when the second victim was approximately 16, McNelis forced the second victim to submit to McNelis performing fellatio on him. Soon after this incident, a second incident of abuse occurred in the rectory of St. Joseph, where again McNelis forcibly performed oral sex on the second victim. 353 Reverend Gabriel Patil Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: Unknown N/A 1972 Employment/Assignment History 6/3/1974 Permission to exercise mission within Diocese Other assignments noted in Summary Summary Father Gabriel Patil, a priest of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, known as the Barnabites, was given permission by Bishop Joseph McShea on June 3, 1974, to exercise his ministry within the Diocese of Allentown. The Diocese provided no other assignment history. Correspondence between the Diocese and the Barnabites shows that, in 2003, a victim reported to the Diocese that he and four of his friends were abused by Patil. The abuse occurred on the property of the Bethlehem Catholic High School during the late 1970's and early 1980's, when the victims were seven to nine years old. The victim reported that he and the four other known victims were living near the high school at the time. Patil would invite the boys into his residence at the high school and play hide and seek with the boys. While playing hide and seek Patil would have the boys sit on his lap. Patil would open the boys' pants and fondle their genitals. One of the victims also reported that Patil had the victim undress in his presence. Patil leered at the victim as the victim tried on new clothes Patil had bought for the victim. Lawsuits were filed but ultimately dismissed since the statutory limits had expired. At the time the abuse was reported and lawsuits filed, Patil was a Provincial Superior at St. James in Ontario, Canada. Patil met with Bishop Cullen. Patil also inquired about insurance coverage from the Diocese against potential claims for damages in connection with the reported abuse. The Diocese provided no insurance coverage, informing Patil that coverage is only provided to priests who are incardinated in the Diocese and, "as you know, the priests of the Barnabite Fathers are not incardinated in the Diocese of Allentown." Four months after receiving the report of abuse, the Diocese forwarded the information to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office on March 5, 2004. In the letter to the District Attorney's Office, the attorney for the Diocese wrote It is important for you to note the following. Father Patil is not a priest of the Diocese of Allentown. Father Patil is a member of the Barnabite Fathers religious order, not under the supervision of the Diocese of Allentown. 354 Summary Patil went on to serve as a priest in Buffalo, New York, Youngstown, Ohio, and then with a delegation in the country of India. In 2010, Patil requested that he be allowed to return to the Diocese and exercise his public ministry. The Diocese did not permit Patil to return. In 2012, the Barnabite Fathers asked the Review Board of the Diocese to accept Patil's case for review for suitability for ministry. The Diocese denied reviewing Patil's case and informed the Barnabite Fathers they should establish their own review board. No further information was provided by the Diocese on Patil or his whereabouts. Any disciplinary action was left to the discretion of Patil's religious order. 355 Reverend Henry Paul Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: Unknown 1982 1941 Employment/Assignment History To the extent they are known, assignments are noted in the Summary. Summary Father Henry Paul was ordained in 1941 as a religious priest from an Order known as the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He worked in various positions in the Pennsylvania Dioceses of Erie, Philadelphia, and Allentown, the New York Dioceses of Buffalo and New York City, and Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. In April 1979, a known individual wrote a letter to Bishop McShea of the Diocese of Allentown stating that her niece and "a few other little girls" from the parish of the Sacred Heart Church, New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, had been "bothered" by Paul. The individual reported that Paul took the little girls to the rectory and kissed them. One girl went home and told her mother that she knew how to "French kiss." When the mother asked how the little girl knew that, the little girl responded that Father Paul had showed her. The individual reported that Paul had her niece and another little girl in the rectory one day and her niece ran home terrified. Her niece's mother and some of the other mothers wanted to keep the incidents quiet. The individual wrote, "I think to keep it quiet is wrong. If this continues some innocent people are going to be hurt. And it will be too late then." The individual went on to describe that, during Easter preparation, Paul would have the children sit on his lap for confession and then give him a kiss. In a handwritten letter to Bishop McShea from "Tony" (apparently Monsignor Anthony Muntone), Tony reported that he confronted Paul with the accusations. Paul admitted that he had a deep love for children and that he did kiss younger children but that it was done in an appropriate way. Paul denied any inappropriate conduct. Tony wrote that he had a very strong feeling that Paul was not telling the truth. As a result of not believing Paul, Tony dug further and asked an individual named Bob Fagan what he knew about the matter. Fagan's role in the Diocese is not known. Fagan spoke to fifteen to twenty children in the parish about Paul. He reported that three or four of the children told Fagan that they had kissed Paul and, while they did not use the term, they described a French kiss. None of the children with whom Fagan spoke was over the age of twelve. Fagan then spoke to Paul about what he had learned and Paul became "panic stricken." Paul began to pack his belongings in preparation to leave the parish. Fagan then promised not 356 Summary to report Paul since the situation "seemed under control." Fagan apparently did speak and report the issue to Paul's Oblate Superior, Dennis Murphy. Fagan heard nothing about the matter for approximately two months, when another parishioner called to report another incident. The parishioner stated that her daughter was told by Paul to go home and take her underwear off and then return to him at the chapel. It was at this point that Fagan and "Tony" recommended to McShea that Paul be removed from the parish. In documents received by the Allentown Diocese, it is shown that Paul was relieved of his responsibilities at Sacred Heart Church in April 1979. He was believed to have returned to his religious order and continued in ministry. On August 5, 2011, the Wilmington News Journal reported that the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales had settled some 39 lawsuits filed by the victims of sexual abuse for $24.8 million. As part of the settlement, the Oblates named twelve priests said to have committed the abuse, including Paul. According to information released by the Oblates, after leaving Sacred Heart, Paul was assigned to St. Joachim in Philadelphia. He died in 1982. 357 Reverend Paul G. Puza Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1949 N/A May 31, 1975 Employment/Assignment History 6/1975 - 6/1976 St. Bernard, Easton, PA 6/1975 - 6/1976 Lafayette college, Easton, PA 6/1976 - 6/1977 Northampton County Regional Director of Vocations 6/1976 - 6/1977 St. Anne, Bethlehem, PA 6/1977 - 6/1978 Central Catholic High School, Reading, PA 6/1977 - 6/1978 St. Joseph, Reading, PA 6/1978 - 6/1981 St. Casimir, Shenandoah, PA 6/1978 - 6/1981 Catholic Scouting, Schuylkill County, PA 6/1981 - 11/1981 St. Anthony, Easton, PA 11/1985 - 8/1983 St. Stanislaus Kostka, Minersville, PA 8/1983 - 6/1989 St. Anthony of Padua, Cumbola 8/1983 - 6/1989 Nativity B.V.M. High School, Pottsville, PA 6/1989 - 2/2002 St. Richard, Barnesville, PA 6/1989 - 3/2002 Marian High School, Tamaqua, PA 2002 6/2010 Resignedand ordered to refrain from public ministry Dismissed from Priesthood Summary On September 9, 1991, a former seminarian from the Diocese met with Bishop Welsh and advised that he was molested three times, involving oral sex by Father Paul Puza when the seminarian was in the eighth grade. On September 13, 1991, a Chancery official met with Puza, who admitted to one sexual encounter, not three. Puza also maintained his victim was a senior in high school, not in eighth grade. On September 19, 1991, a Chancery official spoke with Puza's therapist, who stated that Puza admitted to "quite a bit of male and female involvement, but insisted that the seminarian was the only minor." On February 12, 1995, an 18 -year-old high school student reported sexual contact by Puza to Welsh. On February 4, 2002, Puza admitted to sexual misconduct with a minor. On February 7, 2002, Puza resigned as Pastor of St. Richard of Chichester. On February 8, 2002, Puza's resignation was accepted by Bishop Cullen effective immediately. Cullen also asked 358 Summary Puza to meet with the Secretary for Clergy to discuss his needs. The Diocese and Cullen made sure the needs of Puza were met until his dismissal from the priesthood in 2010. 359 Reverend Dennis A. Rigney Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1940 N/A May 21, 1966 Employment/Assignment History 5/21/1966-6/01/1966 6/1/1966 - 6/1/1966 6/1/1966 - 3/27/1969 3/27/1969 - 7/9/1969 7/9/1969 - 7/9/1969 7/9/1969 - 11/1/1969 11/1/1969 - 1/1/1970 1/1/1970 - 10/12/1971 10/12/1971 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 6/14/1974 6/14/1974 - 8/19/1975 8/19/1975 - 9/26/1975 9/26/1975 - 11/1/1975 11/1/1975 - 8/1/1977 8/1/1977 - 11/1/1978 11/1/1978 - 6/1/1981 6/1/1981 - 11/1/1981 11/1/1981 - 1/26/1982 1/26/1982 - 9/26/1983 9/26/1983 - 9/26/1983 9/26/1983 - 11/15/1983 11/15/1983 - 11/15/1983 11/15/1983 - 1/1/1984 1/1/1984 - 12/31/1985 6/16/1987 - 6/16/1987 6/16/1987 - 6/8/1995 6/8/1995 - 10/29/1997 10/29/1997 - 12/3/2000 12/3/2000 - 5/1/2002 Ordained in Cathedral of St. Cathedral of Siena, Allentown, PA. by Bishop McShea St. Peter, Reading, PA Secretary Tribunal, Diocese of Allentown Spanish Apostolate Diocesan Tribunal Regional Director, Spanish Apostolate, Berks County, PA Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors Executive Dire. And Moderator, Social Action Bureau Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors Executive Secretary and Coordinator Council of Social Services Director, Family Life Bureau Director, Catholic Charities & Catholic Social Agency St. Peter, Reading, PA Pastoral Council, Diocese of Allentown Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown, PA Director of Marriage Encounter, Allentown, PA Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors St. Paul, Allentown, PA Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors Diocesan Consultor Council of Priests St. Vincent de Paul Society Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, PA Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem, PA Diocesan director, Holy Family Health Care Agency, Schuylkill County, PA Diocesan Director; Project H.E.A.D. PCC Administrative Board St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA Bethlehem Priest Director, Holy Family Manor, (President and CEO) Board of Directors Catholic Social Agency Board of Seton Manor, Inc. Board of Covenant Home Care, Inc. 360 Summary On August 9, 1989, a former employee of Holy Family Manor wrote a letter to Bishop Welsh with a complaint against Rigney, who had pressured the employee to resign her positon as a nurse's aide. The employee continued by asserting that she refused to resign and was subsequently fired. The employee stated, "Monsignor Rigney regards himself as a ladies man and he's crazy about women," and "if you don't give him certain rights . . . i.e.. . to hug, grab, or kiss, he gets 'even' with you." The employee said he got "even" with her because she wanted no part of his physical advances. The Diocese later learned that this was not Rigney's first incident and that the abusive conduct began much earlier. On April 6, 1987, Father Thomas Kuhn of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati wrote a letter to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati regarding a parishioner claiming she was "fondled in the area of the vagina "when she was about 12 or 13" by Rigney. Kuhn's letter was forwarded to the Allentown Diocese. On April 4, 1988, Rigney wrote a 23 page document to Welsh after allegations were made that Rigney "digitally stroked a female minor's vagina." The letter denied any inappropriate touching or actions and painted both the victim and her family as highly dysfunctional and not credible, trying to convince the bishop of the same. Rigney's letter was in response to a letter sent to the Allentown Diocese from a relative of the victim. On April 9, 2002, a woman telephoned the Chancery stating she had been touched inappropriately by a priest when she was about age nine or 10. The touching occurred over a one-year period in 1966 1967. Fifteen to twenty years later, the victim's sister told her that she too was touched by the same priest. The victim identified the offending priest as Rigney. The victim stated that she and her sister attended St. Peter's School in Reading and were members of St. Peter's Church, where Rigney was stationed. The victim stated Rigney had a house "at the river," where he took them water skiing at the "beach on the river." According to the victim, Rigney digitally stroked her vagina and caressed the rest of her body, kissed her on the lips, and "petted" her on various parts of her body, including her breasts, buttocks, shoulder, neck, back, legs, stomach, and vagina. On April 18, 2002, Rigney requested early retirement citing medical reasons. On April 29, 2002, Rigney was granted early retirement by the Diocese, for medical reasons. On July 31, 2003, Monsignor Schlert, the Vicar General, sent a letter to Monsignor Gobitas indicating that Rigney was apprehensive about attending a "special retreat" he was encouraged to attend by the Diocese, because "he retired without Scandal, if he goes to the retreat with the other `known' offenders, it will implicate him." 361 Reverend Joseph A. Rock Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1941 N/A February 5, 1972 Employment/Assignment History 2/1972 - 9/1972 Sacred Heart of Jesus, Allentown, PA 5/1972 - 5/1975 Catholic Scouting, Allentown Area 6/1972 - 2/1975 Catholic Youth Organization, Lehigh County, PA 9/1972 - 2/1975 St. Catherine of Siena, Allentown, PA 2/1975 - 9/1976 St. Ignatius Loyola, Reading, PA 3/1975 - 9/1976 Scouts, Hawk Mountain, Berks County, PA 6/1975 - 9/1976 Catholic Youth Organization, Berks County, PA 9/1976 - 8/1977 St.s Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, PA 9/1976 - 4/1982 Scouts, Minsi Trails Council, Lehigh County, PA 9/1976 - 6/1982 Catholic Youth Organization, Bethlehem, PA 8/1977 - 3/1982 Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown, PA 3/1982 - 2/1986 St. Francis de Sales, Mount Carbon, PA 6/1983 - 2/1986 Catholic Scouting, Diocese of Allentown 9/1983 - 9/1986 Social Action Bureau Advisory Board, West Schuylkill County 6/1985 - 2/1986 Youth Ministry 2/1986 - 9/1986 Sick Leave 9/1986 - 10/2001 Holy Family Manor 10/1999 - 10/2001 Retired 5/2005 Dismissed from Priesthood Summary In 1986, two reports were made to the Diocese of Allentown indicating sexual contact with three boys by Father Joseph Rock. One incident occurred in 1983 when the victim was nine years old. The victim stated that Rock touched him by fondling and masturbation. In addition, two brothers came forward claiming that, in the early 1980's while they were still minors, Rock sexually touched them through their clothes. In February 1986, Rock was placed on "sick leave" and sent to Servants of the Paraclete in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. On February 3, 1986, according to Diocesan records, the Chancery was offered a "bleak picture" for Rock's prognosis by staff at Servants of the Paraclete. On February 9, 1986, the Chancery was advised by treatment staff, "He . . . is no longer capable of functioning in a responsible work situation, and his life is unmanageable." On June 12, 1986, the Chancery was advised by a staff member at the Servants of the Paraclete that Rock was "one of the worst cases he ever encountered." On October 20, 1987, Bishop 362 Summary Welsh limited Rock's faculties for priestly ministry to a nursing home and the priest's retirement facility. On December 29, 1989, Rock's civil attorney asked the Diocese for a retainer fee, which the Diocese paid. On August 6, 1991, there was a meeting held with Rock at the Chancery to "discuss the matters." On January 21, 1992, another meeting was held at the Chancery to inform Rock of the second allegations made against him. Rock admitted to "roughhousing" with the boys and, in the process, feeling their genitals. On March 25, 2000, the Diocese received a letter written from another victim who complained that Rock was always "grabbing kids from behind," including the victim. The victim continued by stating, "I recall he was always pulling me closer, always odd, I recall him pushing himself into my body..." The victim was an adult at the time of reporting but in fourth or fifth grade at the time of the assaults. He said that Rock would begin "touching him" and his penis but always "through his pants," and that Rock told him that he "shouldn't tell anyone that it was a blessing and that if [he] told [he] would go to hell." The victim was in Rock's company about three times a week and that this touching would go on almost every time. The victim claimed it went on in front of parishioners and even once in front of his parents, explaining that a priest's vestments are long and flowing and that Rock had his hands beneath the material of his sleeves so that they could not be seen by his parents. By the time the victim was twelve or thirteen, Rock's touching went so far as Rock putting his hand down the victim's pants and directly on the victim's penis. On June 2, 2000, the final release of the civil lawsuit against the Diocese was received and the Diocese agreed to pay $305,000. The Diocese secured a release from the victim in exchange. On November 9, 2001, Rock offered a letter of retirement as Chaplain of the nursing home. The resignation was triggered by an investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, which received complaints that Rock had sexually abused two elderly male patients. On August 20, 2003, the Diocese received yet another complaint concerning Rock. The complaint was that Rock molested a minor when the victim was in the seventh or eighth grade. On September 2, 2003, Chancery officials met with Rock to go over allegation. Although Rock could not recall the incident, he stated that it could have happened "since the incident is in keeping with the way he acted with other victims." In 2007 another victim reported that, from 1979 to 1981 while he was in the sixth through eighth grades, he was subjected to oral sex, fondling, and anal sex by Rock. In 2007, the Diocese dismissed Rock from the priesthood. 363 Reverend Gerald Royer Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1917 2003 June 1, 1947 Employment/Assignment History 6/1947 - 1/1948 St. Bartholomew, Brockton 1/1948 - 6/1948 St.s Simon and Jude, Bethlehem 6/1948 - 12/1948 St. Bartholomew, Brockton 12/1948 - 6/1950 St. Catherine of Siena, Reading 6/1950 - 5/1952 St. Joseph, Girardsville 5/1952 - 1/1953 Annunciation, Shenandoah 1/1953 - 3/1954 Chaplain, Convent of Divine Love 3/1954 - 11/1955 St. Mary of the Assumption, Philadelphia 11/1955 - 2/1956 Leave of Absence 2/1956 - 5/1956 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton 5/1956 - 4/1960 St. Paul, Reading 4/1960 - 7/1961 Leave of Absence 7/1961 - 8/1964 Chaplain, St. Joseph's Manor 8/1964 - 2/1965 Left active ministry (laicized) Summary Held in the secret archives of the Diocese of Allentown was a folder titled by a victim's name. Inside the folder was information describing the sexual abuse of a minor that occurred in 1948. The abuser was Father Gerald Royer. At the time of the abuse in 1948, the Diocese of Allentown did not exist and the location was under the control of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In January 2003, the victim, then in his sixties, made a report of sexual abuse to the Diocese against Royer. Because Royer was under the authority of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the time of the sexual abuse, the Diocese referred this victim to Monsignor William Lynn, Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese. The Diocese of Allentown began paying for counseling then referred the costs to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in June 2003. In 2009, this victim contacted the Diocese again to discuss his sexual abuse. He brought his therapist along. While in Saint's Simon and Jude church, he saw a chair in which he was repeatedly sexually abused by Royer. On April 18, 2018, now an 83 -year-old man, the victim testified before the Fortieth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. He disclosed that the abuse that occurred in 1948 still 364 Summary haunts him to this day. The victim attended Saint's Simon and Jude in Bethlehem. He was a fatherless, 12 -year -old boy. His mother was happy that a priest took interest in her son. Royer would kiss the victim and the kissing progressed to molestation. Royer would abuse the child behind the airport in Allentown, in his home, and in the rectory. Royer would have the child sit in a green chair located near a closet and the rectory's safe. Royer would fondle the victim's genitals. The child told a friend who did not believe him. During one abuse, the friend hid in the closet and watched Royer molest the victim. The child who witnessed the abuse could not fathom what had just occurred. The victim testified that, after the 2002 Boston, Massachusetts, scandal broken by the Boston Globe, he found the strength to finally disclose his abuse to the Catholic church. During a meeting with a priest in the Diocese, the priest acknowledged that Royer was a "bad actor," stating that the priest had counseled Royer. The victim never told his wife why he could not hug or kiss his own children, who were boys. He was unable to be affectionate with his grandchildren. To this day, he cannot shake hands with men. He cannot be seen by male doctors or dentists. His therapist had to be a female. The victim told the Grand Jury that he was in the Army, fought in Korea, and was stationed on Okinawa in the 1950's. However, every day of this victim's life has been tormented by what Royer did to him as a child in 1948. 365 Reverend Charles J. Ruffenach Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1901 1980 May 29, 1930 Employment/Assignment History 6/11/1930 - 6/8/1931 Holy Ghost, Bethlehem, PA 608/1931 - 9/20/1934 St. Mary of the Assumption, Philadelphia, PA 9/20/1934 - 7/2/1979 St. John the Baptist, Stiles 7/02/1979 - 7/4/1980 St. John the Baptist, Stiles Holy Family Villa 7/04/1980 Deceased Summary On August 29, 2001, an adult victim contacted the Diocese to report physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Father Charles Ruffenach beginning in approximately 1945, when the victim was in first grade, and continuing through the eighth grade. The victim stated that Ruffenach beat, paddled, and sexually abused him when he attended St. John the Baptist school. The abuse took place on the premises of the parish, specifically in the "boiler room." The victim also reported at the time of abuse Ruffenach referred to it as "washing his penis." In the late 1980's, the victim confronted Ruffenach regarding the abuse. Ruffenach denied the allegations. However, during the confrontation, Ruffenach claimed that during the time of incident the victim wanted him to "wash his penis." At the time of the report by the victim, the Diocese responded by stating that Ruffenach was deceased and therefore it could not pursue the victim's claims any further but offered the victim counseling. The victim advised he had been in counseling since age 29, and requested that the Diocese fund additional counseling sessions. Ultimately, the Diocese paid for eight months of counseling, amounting to several thousand dollars' worth of counseling. 366 Reverend J. Pascal Sabas Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1923 1996 June 20, 1954 (Wappinger Falls, New York) Employment/Assignment History 10/1955 - 10/1957 Vocation Director, New York 10/1957 - 10/1958 House Discretus and Purser, New York 10/1958 - 10/1960 Administrator, St. Vincent de Paul, Pittsburgh, PA 10/1960 - 10/1962 Assistant, Sacred Heart, Yarmouth, Maine 10/1962 - 5/21/1963 Assistant, St. Joseph, Portland, Maine 5/21/1963 - 5/20/1964 Assistant, St. Francis of Assisi, Minersville, PA 5/20/1964 - 9/1/1965 Assistant, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA 9/1/1965 - 11/1/1966 Assistant, St. Patrick, Pottsville, PA 11/1/1966 - 4/4/1967 Regional Director, Bishop's Relief Agency, West Schuylkill, PA 4/4/1967 - 1/18/1971 Administrator, St. Vincent de Paul, Girardville, PA 1/18/1971 - 8/1/1977 Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul, Girardville, PA 8/1/1977 - 10/1/1977 Administrator, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA 10/1/1977 - 3/4/1980 Pastor, St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring, PA 3/4/1980 - 6/1/1983 Pro -Synodal Examiner 6/1/1983 - 8/16/1983 Priest Representative Diocesan Board of Education, 8/16/1983 - 10/1/1985 10/1/1985 - 12/16/1986 12/16/1986 - 3/19/1987 3/19/1987 - 6/14/1988 6/14/1988 - 6/1989 6/1989 - 11/1/1991 11/1/1991 - 1996 Berks County, PA Pastor, St. George, Shenandoah, PA Returning to Religious Life Assistant, St. Anthony, Easton, PA Chaplain, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Assistant Pastor, St. John the Baptist, Shillington, PA Sick Leave Retired Summary At the age of 14, a boy who is now a renowned sculptor and artist in New York, was sexually abused by Father J. Pascal Sabas beginning in 1964. Sabas bought the victim a slot car racing set and had the victim set it up in the victim's basement. Sabas would come over to the play slot cars and then abuse the victim while they were alone in the basement. Sabas also abused the victim while in the corridor of his school and after the victim served Mass as an altar boy with Sabas. Sabas also threatened the victim, telling him, "Don't tell your parents. They would be very hurt if they knew what you were doing." The abuse only ended when Sabas was transferred out of the victim's parish. 367 Summary In 1974, the victim reported the abuse to Bishop McShea. The victim entered into counseling which he paid. In 1989, the victim filed a civil lawsuit against the Diocese and Sabas. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 1991 for $40,000. After years of counseling and three marriages, the victim reported it again and requested a group meeting with Bishop Cullen and three other survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. Cullen refused the meeting. 368 Reverend William J. Shields Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1929 2000 March 15, 1958 Employment/Assignment History 5/29/1958 - 5/27/1960 Assistant, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA 5/27/1960 - 2/23/1962 Assistant, St. John Baptist de la Salle, Shillington, PA 2/23/1962 - 9/4/1962 Assistant, St. Mary, Hamburg, PA 9/4/1962 - 10/30/1964 Assistant, Annunciation B.V.M., Shenandoah, PA 10/30/1964 - 12/9/1966 Regional Director, Bishop's Relief, Upper Schuylkill County, PA 12/9/1966 - 11/29/1967 Bishop's Relief Agency, East Schuylkill County, PA 11/29/1967 - 8/30/1968 Assistant, St. Paul, Allentown, PA 8/30/1968 - 3/27/1969 Assistant, St. Lawrence, Catasauqua, PA 3/27/1969 - 3/8/1972 Administrator, St. Ann, Lansford, PA 3/8/1972 - 1/11/1974 Assistant, St. Peter, Reading, PA 1/11/1974 - 6/15/1995 Pastor, St. Nicholas, Weatherly, PA 6/15/1995 - 8/28/2000 Pastor Emeritus, St. Nicholas, Weatherly, PA Summary In April 2002, a victim reported that he had been sexually abused by Father William J Shields. The victim reported that the abuse occurred when he was approximately 12 or 13 years old in the rectory of St. Ann's in Lansford. After a night of working a parish picnic, the victim and the victim's friend helped Shields take money back to the rectory. Shields told the victim's friend that he could leave but that the victim should stay at the rectory. At the time of the abuse, the victim revered priests and the Catholic Church and "did not know how to say no to a priest or nun." Shields asked the victim sit in the television room and lay down on the couch because Shields wanted to give him a massage. Shields began by massaging the victim's shoulders and working his way down to the victim's waistline. Shields unbuttoned the victim's pants and began fondling the victim's genitals. Shields then made the victim stand up as Shields knelt in front of the victim and began removing the victim's pants and underwear. At this point the victim had the courage to stop Shields and tell Shields he had to leave. As the victim was getting ready to leave, Shields told the victim, "Let this be our little secret." The victim went home and told his mother what had happened. The victim's mother advised him not to tell anyone of the incident and to stay away from Shields. The victim believed his mother was worried that, if the incident was reported, the victim could be stigmatized if others in the parish knew about it. The victim told a deacon who worked at the parish and with whom the victim was close at the time about the incident. The victim reported that about three months after the abuse occurred Shields announced at mass that he was being 369 Summary transferred to another parish. The victim believed the deacon reported the incident to someone in the Diocese, resulting in Shields' transfer. Records provided by the Diocese indicate Shields was transferred to St. Peter's in Reading and then St. Nicholas' in Weatherly. Shields remained at St. Nicholas' until his death in 2000. In March 2004, a second victim called the Diocese and reported that he had been sexually abused by Shields at St. Ann's parish 25 to 30 years prior. The second victim did not give any further details off the sexual abuse. The second victim only wanted to report he was abused by Shields and wanted no counseling or compensation in return. Records indicated that the Diocese contacted the Carbon County District Attorney's Office about the second victim's report of abuse. 370 Reverend Stephen F. Shigo Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1953 1991 May 13, 1978 Employment/Assignment History 6/20/1978 - 6/15/1981 Holy Guardian Angels, Hyde Park, PA 6/15/1981 - 9/1/1981 St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA 9/1/1981 - 7/11/1983 Area Chaplain Catholic Scouting, West Schuylkill County, PA 7/11/1983 - 8/31/1984 Regional Director, CYO West Schuylkill County, PA 8/31/1984 - 12/4/1985 Regional Director, Youth Ministry, South Schuylkill County, PA 12/4/1985 - 11/2/1991 Regional Director, Family Life Bureau, South Schuylkill County, PA Summary The Diocese of Allentown was informed of one victim of sexual abuse by Father Stephem Shigo. On November 17, 2011, the victim's father contacted Diocesan officials on behalf of his son. The victim's father reported that his son had a successful business as a builder but had previous issues with alcohol, drugs, and maintaining stable relationships. The victim's father also told officials that he only heard about the sexual abuse from his daughter, who in turn found out from the victim's ex -girlfriend. The victim was sexually abused by Shigo on a road behind the victim's house during a ride home from the church. The victim, who finally came forward at the encouragement of his father, reported his abuse in February 2012. The victim told the Diocese he was sexually abused by Shigo when the victim was an altar boy during his eighth and ninth grades and that the abuse occurred at St. Ambrose church. The Diocese offered six months of counseling. However records indicate the victim was participating in counseling at least through June 2016, for which the Diocese paid. Shigo died in 1991. 371 Reverend David A. Soderlund Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1938 N/A May 22, 1965 Employment/Assignment History 6/1965 - 12/1966 St. Peter, Coplay, PA 12/1966 - 4/1971 Sacred Heart, West Reading, PA 4/1971 - 6/1973 St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA 4/1971 - 6/1974 Holy Name High School, Reading, PA 6/1971 - 11/1971 St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA 10/1971 - 11/1978 Adult Religious Education, Berks County, PA 6/1973 - 1/1974 St. John the Baptist, Shillington, PA 1/1974 - 11/1978 St. Benedict, Reading, PA 6/1974 - 11/1978 Holy Name High School, Reading, PA 11/1978 - 7/1980 St. Joseph, Summit Hill, PA 7/1980 - 9/1980 Sick Leave (Villa St. John Vianney Hospital) 9/1980 - 6/1981 Our Lady of Hungary, Northampton, PA 6/1981 10/1986 2/1989 5/2005 2009 St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, PA 1/1989 Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, PA Administrative Leave (faculties withdrawn) Dismissed from Priesthood Arrested Summary As early as August 5, 1961, while in Seminary, Father David Soderlund expressed a desire to work with children. In 1980, three separate complaints were made against him. The complaints asserted that Soderlund had engaged in sexual acts with three different children. The children were aged 12 to 13 years old. The Diocesan record, a "summary of case" relating to Soderlund, generalized the sexual conduct without referencing specific acts or crimes. On June 11, 1980, a meeting was held at the Chancery during which photo albums were examined depicting nude photographs of a young boy engaged in sex acts with Soderlund. Soderlund appeared in the photographs unclothed with the boy. After the meeting, Monsignor Anthony Muntone went to the rectory and completed a search. Muntone located a second photo album of another young boy and negatives of the first young boy, along with "other pornographic materials." Father James Gaffney was present at the parish at the time of the search. Gaffney testified before the Grand Jury and recalled the child pornography being removed from the church by Muntone. 372 Summary On June 29, 1980, Soderlund admitted to Chancery officials that he engaged in sexual activity with the three young boys. While documents created at the time of the admission minimized the conduct, the facts became available through a detailed account of the abuse obtained from a victim in 1997 by the Diocese. That account was obtained by the Grand Jury from within the secret or confidential archives of the Diocese. The victim reported that: [H]e was an altar boy (76 grade), and David, had a trailer which he kept at the Appalachian Trail Sites in Shartlesville, brought him there almost weekly, over a period of about 5 years, where they engaged in sexual acts. The victim said, he was not a willing participant, but David threatened to harm or kill him. *** David also took pictures of the victim engaged in sexual acts and threatened to use them to embarrass him. David offered to leave the priesthood, if the victim would go away with him. The victim then indicated that he knew of many other boys who were victimized by Soderlund. The victim added that he struggled greatly with substance abuse and intimacy due to the abuse. The trauma from the abuse had cost him his marriage and a relationship with his two sons. Soderlund was placed on "sick leave" in July 1980 and was sent to Villa St. John Vianney Hospital. On July 3, 1980, a document written by Muntone recorded the following; After James [Gaffney] left, the attorney questioned me a bit and spoke of his plan to make contact with the prosecutor over the weekend. I spoke with the attorney by telephone on Saturday evening, July 5th. He informed me that the prosecutor had assured him if the parents would not make an issue of the matter, he would not prosecute. The prosecutor made it clear that he understood Father Soderlund would no longer be stationed in Carbon County. This account of the Diocese entering into an arrangement with law enforcement to avoid prosecution of Soderlund corroborates the testimony of Gaffney before the Grand Jury. Additionally, on Tuesday, July 8, 1980, Muntone wrote: I met with [the attorney]. at 10 a.m. He spoke in greater detail of his approach to [the prosecutor] , and of the assurance he had received that the matter would not be pursued if the parents chose not to press it. In a letter sent by [the attorney] . . to Monsignor Muntone dated September 12, 1980, [the attorney] reiterates what [the prosecutor] told him regarding the pornographic photos taken by Soderlund and that "the Diocese should retain these photographs for a reasonable period of time. [The prosecutor] did not want to view any of the commercially produced pornographic material and stated you (Muntone) could destroy this material. On October 11, 1986, after two months characterized by the Diocese as "sick leave," Soderlund was assigned to serve as a priest in two other parishes. Soderlund was also sent to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was to minister as chaplain. 373 Summary The Grand Jury reviewed additional documentation in the form of a letter from Bishop Welsh to Antonio Cardinal Innocenti, Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, showing that Soderlund was permitted to be involved in parish life as a priest immediately upon his return from "sick leave." Diocesan records indicated that at this time Soderlund began to "act out sexually with a young boy." According to Diocesan records, "He invited the child to vacation with him in Yellowstone National Park." The records further indicate, "Father Soderlund continued to groom the boy by informing the boy of his own bisexuality." The letter written by Welsh noted, "Once again, Father Soderlund was relieved of his duties and this time placed under the spiritual care of Father John Harvey, 0.S.ES. and the clinical care of Doctor John Kinnane." Soderlund continued to minster even after the latest complaint. On April 28, 1987, the Good Samaritan Hospital Administrator contacted the Diocese, advising them that Soderlund was spending a lot of time with an eight -year-old boy. Soderlund had spent an hour talking to the boy on the telephone, saying that he wanted to take the boy on a trip to a museum. Good Samaritan officials wanted Soderlund to be fired. An excerpt taken from a transcription of a handwritten report from Muntone stated the following: I related all of the above to [the Diocesan attorney] and asked for his recommendation. Much to my surprise, he recommended that the chaplain at Sacred Heart Hospital and Soderlund trade places. I tried to explain to him that that was not exactly the way things worked, that the chaplains are employees of the hospital, etc. He said, that however that may be, Good Samaritan Hospital contributed significantly to Soderlund's problems. He said they should have structured his day more fully, and seen to it that his living accommodations were better supervised, etc. Muntone added that, if Soderlund lived at the rectory at Sacred Heart and "the hospital held him more accountable for his time, there shouldn't be any problems." Muntone responded to Traud's advice by telling the Bishop, "Also if we do manage to place Soderlund after being fired by Good Samaritan we will have an even harder time convincing the others we have no place for them." On February 23, 1989, Soderlund was placed on administrative leave. During much of 1989 through the early 1990's, Soderlund battled the Diocese in court. Soderlund commenced a civil action against the Bishop in 1996, admitting a "sexual addiction" but claiming that his due process rights were violated. In 1997, a judge in Lehigh County dismissed the lawsuit. Soderlund appealed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, which affirmed the dismissal. In 2009, Soderlund, now living in Dubois, Wyoming, within the Diocese of Cheyenne, was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to incarceration for two to five years for sexual 374 exploitation of children/possession of child pornography on his computer. He is a registered sex offender in Wyoming. 375 Very Reverend Henry E. Strassner, V.F. Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1922 2009 May 31, 1947 Employment/Assignment History 6/14/1947-9/2/1947 9/2/1947-5/16/1961 5/16/1961 - 6/19/1962 6/19/1962 - 5/21/1963 5/21/1963 - 3/20/1964 3/20/1964 - 12/16/1964 12/16/1964 - 11/9/1966 11/9/1966 - 8/30/1968 8/30/1968 - 11/27/1968 11/27/1968 - 10/6/1968 10/6/1968 - 11/1/1969 11/1/1969 - 11/1/1972 11/1/1972 - 1/17/1974 1/17/1974 - 12/1/1974 12/1/1974 - 12/9/1983 12/9/1983 - 11/1/1984 11/1/1984 - 6/22/1988 6/22/1988 - 8/1/1993 8/1/1993 - 2/18/1994 2/18/1994 - 3/16/2000 3/16/2000 - 6/17/2003 6/17/2003 - 11/20/2009 Assistant Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo, Cornwell Heights, PA Allentown Central Catholic High School, Professor (Res. Notre Dame, Bethlehem, 09/08/1954) Regional Director, Holy Name Society, Lehigh County, PA Assistant, Notre Dame, Bethlehem (Summer Assignment) Principal, Notre Dame High School, Green Pond, PA St. Michael, Easton, In Residence St. Bernard, Easton, In Residence Member, Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors Administrator, St. Paul, Allentown, PA Member, Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultor Director, Family Life Bureau, Lehigh County, PA Member, Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors Council of Priests -Diocesan Consultors, Ex Officio Member Pastor, St. Paul, Allentown Regional Director, Family Life Bureau, Lehigh County, PA Member, Diocesan Development and Endowment Committee Dean, Lehigh County Diocese of Allentown Member, Advisory Board, Allentown Central Catholic High School, PA Sick Leave Senior Priest/Assistant Pastor, St. Jerome, Tamaqua, PA Council of Priests Rep. Parochial Vicars Retired Pastor Emeritus of St. Paul Church, Allentown, PA 376 Summary Included in documents subpoenaed from the Diocese of Allentown was a handwritten document by Monsignor Muntone dated August 22, 1988, which documented the complaint of a 19 -year-old man The victim reported that Father Henry Strassner kissed him four times on the lips, "in the same way a woman would kiss," within the first hour and a half of a counseling session. Strassner, after being confronted and initially denying even knowing the victim, admitted to the conduct but claimed he "did not intend anything sexual." Strassner claimed the victim "was essentially parentless and I wanted to simply affirm his sense of self-worth." Strassner was sent to see a counselor who, after meeting with Strassner, advised the Diocese that there was "a lot more going on here than Father Strassner has admitted." Also included in the Diocese's internal documents was a handwritten memorandum dated July 11, 1991, written by Muntone that recorded two additional complaints of child sexual abuse against Strassner. The memorandum recorded that both victims had been molested as a children. One victim recalled that Strassner sexually abused him between the ages of six and nine while he was struggling with childhood behavioral issues. The other victim provided less detail but was explicit in his characterization of the "viciousness" of abusers. He also reported at least one other priest was involved in his abuse. In the more detailed complaint, the victim reported that his mother had heard Strassner give a lecture on drugs. She invited Strassner into her home to speak to her son. The victim trusted Strassner and was taught to respect him. The victim revealed intimate details of his life to Strassner, who was his counselor and confessor. Strassner told the victim that he needed to "touch him" as part of his priestly duties. Touching progressed to Strassner masturbating the victim and performing oral sex on him. The accounts of both victims were similar. Each victim was devoted to their parish. Each victim was groomed and sexually assaulted by Strassner. One victim reported the abuse to explain why he was withdrawing from his volunteer role in the church. The trauma of his abuse was making his involvement impossible. The other victim was reporting to request that the parish be informed of Strassner's conduct. He was concerned that others could be victims. At the time of the 1991 report, Strassner was assigned to the Advisory Board of the Allentown Central Catholic High School. There is no indication that the Diocese took any action. In 2001, a parishioner came forward to report that Strassner had used his authority and position as a priest to make sexual advances during counseling sessions. The parishioner reported that, while seeking counseling during a difficult time in his life, Strassner assaulted the thirty -one-year -old man and took advantage of the man's vulnerability. In 2004, a 53 -year-old man reported that he was sexually assaulted by Strassner in 1977 when he was aged 26 or 27. The abuse occurred at St. Paul's church located at Second and Susquehanna Streets in Allentown. The victim stated that Strassner "French kissed" him and asked the victim to show him his genitalia. The victim refused. Diocesan records indicated that this assault occurred while Strassner was acting in his official capacity as counselor or in hearing confessions. The victim, at the time of the report to the Diocese, produced a sheet of paper with 377 Summary handwritten notes containing the names of approximately 25 or 30 other individuals who he alleged were similarly sexually assaulted by Strassner. The Diocese provided the victim counseling. In November 2011, a then -63 -year-old victim reported to the Diocese he had been sexually abused by Strassner when he was in the seventh or eighth grade. The victim was made to perform oral sex on Strassner and Strassner performed oral sex on the victim. The victim did not report the abuse because he felt humiliated and subsequently became a "criminal all his life." Within undated documents provided by the Diocese were handwritten notes indicating two victims, both with deep personal issues, whom Strassner exploited for purposes of grooming and ultimately sexually abused. According to the document, counseling was a part of their lives as they battled drugs and alcohol and even contemplated suicide. One of the victims was diagnosed with post -traumatic stress disorder. Secret or confidential documents of the Diocese showed that the Diocese was aware of Strassner's abuse of his position as early as 1988. Notes by Muntone relating to the allegations was a common observation throughout this investigation. Those notes were commonly addressed to the bishop at the time or forwarded to the bishop through another memorandum or note. Personnel decisions were ultimately within the exclusive purview of the bishops, who continued to return Strassner to ministry within the Diocese after each allegation with little regard for Strassner's record of abusing his position. By way of example, in August 1993, Strassner took "sick leave" and went to Jemez Springs, New Mexico, for approximately six months. After his return, Strassner continued as an active priest until his retirement in June 2003. Even after retirement, Strassner was granted the status of "Pastor Emeritus" of St. Paul in Allentown. 378 Reverend Bruno M. Tucci Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1942 N/A March 27, 1971 Employment/Assignment History 4/1971 - 4/1972 St. Margaret, Reading, PA 10/1971 - 4/1972 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Berks County, PA 4/1972 - 6/1972 Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Spring, PA 4/1972 - 6/1972 Annunciation, Shenandoah, PA 6/1972 - 9/1972 St. Canicus, Mahanoy City, PA 6/1972 - 6/1977 Marian High School, Tamaqua, PA 9/1972 - 6/1974 St. Canicus, Mahanoy City, PA 6/1974 - 2/1975 St.s Peter and Paul, Lehighton, PA 2/1975 - 6/1977 Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Nesquehoning, PA 6/1975 - 8/1975 Marian High School, Tamaqua, PA 6/1977 - 6/1979 Holy Name High School, Reading, PA 6/1977 - 9/1977 St, Columbkill, Boyertown, PA 9/1977 - 6/1978 Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, PA 6/1978 - 4/1981 St. Peter, Reading, PA 6/1979 - 4/1981 Central Catholic High School, Reading, PA 4/1981 - 6/1986 Immaculate Conception, Kelayres, PA 6/1986 - 3/2002 Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Immaculate Conception, 3/1/2002 2/9/2007 Nesquehoning, PA Retired Dismissed from priesthood 379 Summary The Diocese of Allentown became aware of Father Bruno Tucci's abuse of children in 1991. A victim called the Chancery and stated he was sexually molested by Tucci when he was 14 years old. Tucci tickled him and put his hands down the back of the victim's pants. On another occasion, Tucci unbuttoned his pants and the victim's pants. Tucci pulled them both down and made skin to skin contact. Tucci normalized the conduct by tickling the victim in front of the victim's parents. The victim recalled that Tucci visited the victim while his parents were at Christmas Eve mass and took off his pants and "played with him." Later that same evening at the midnight mass, the victim served at the altar for Tucci. During this telephone call, the victim advised the Diocese that he would like to confront Tucci about the abuse. Soon after the call, a Chancery official met with Tucci, who admitted the allegations and stated that the incidents occurred "exactly as the victim reported." Tucci said it was "just touching" and clarified he had not engaged in "sodomy." The Diocese sent Tucci to The Servants of the Paraclete, Jemez Springs, New Mexico, later that year. One year later, Tucci return to active ministry as Pastor of two parishes in Nesquehoning. On November 30, 1993, Chancery officials met with the victim, who expressed his outrage that Tucci was still functioning as a priest. Seeing no action from the Diocese, the victim again expressed his desire to confront Tucci. On February 11, 2002, Chancery officials met again with Tucci, who reiterated his guilt concerning the victim. Tucci offered to resign as Pastor. Four days later, the Bishop accepted Tucci's resignation. On May 6, 2002, the Diocese received a letter from another victim stating he was sexually molested by Tucci between 1977 and 1978, when he was a minor. Tucci did not deny the complaint, saying merely that he could not recall the incident. In March 2002, Tucci retired. His retirement came just weeks after the Boston Globe garnered national attention after publishing articles detailing child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Boston. In 2005, Tucci requested to be laicized, a request granted and completed in 2007. Tucci is last known to be a resident of Salisbury, Maryland. 380 Reverend A. Gregory Uhrig Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1947 N/A September 29, 1973 Employment/Assignment History 1974 8/30/1974 - 6/17/1975 6/17/1975 9/29/1975 6/15/1976 10/4/1976 6/20/1976 - 9/29/1975 6/15/1976 10/4/1976 6/20/1976 6/20/1978 6/20/1978 6/16/1980 10/1/1981 2/25/1982 6/20/1983 12/8/1985 6/19/1986 - 6/16/1980 10/1/1981 2/25/1982 6/20/1983 12/8/1985 6/19/1986 12/1/1986 10/1/1986 - 6/14/1988 6/14/1988 - 6/15/1989 6/15/1989 - 9/6/1989 9/6/1989 - 7/15/1993 7/15/1993 - 1/19/1995 1/19/1995 10/2010 Secretary, Diocesan Tribunal Assistant, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA Professor, Allentown Central Catholic High School, PA Resident, St. Elizabeth, Whitehall, PA Resident and Assistant, Immaculate Conception, Allentown, PA Member, Liturgical Commission Secretary, Diocesan Tribunal Defender of the Bond, Diocesan Tribunal Professor, Reading Central High School, PA Resident, Holy Rosary, Reading, PA Assistant, St. Anthony, Easton, PA Coordinator, CCD Adult Regular Education, Northampton, PA Regional Director, Family Life Bureau, Northampton, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Ursula, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem, PA Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville, PA Assistant, St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen, New Jersey Resident, Holy Trinity, Egypt Chaplain, Muhlenberg/Cedar Crest Colleges Resident, St. Thomas More, Allentown, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Thomas More, Allentown, PA Pastor, John the Baptist, Whitehall, PA Regional Director, CCD Lehigh County, PA Assigned to ministry in New Jersey Excardinated from Diocese of Allentown Incardinated into Diocese of Metuchen Placed on leave due to allegations stemming from incidents in 1978-1980. 381 Summary The Diocese of Allentown became aware of Father A. Gregory Uhrig's sexual abuse of children by 2010. On May 5, 2010, a 44 -year -old female victim made a complaint to the Diocese of sexual abuse at the hands of Uhrig when she was 13 -years -old and attended the seventh grade at St. Anthony school in Easton. Uhrig was assigned to St. Anthony at that time. The victim's parents encouraged her involvement in the parish and were comfortable with her taking a job answering parish telephones. While working afternoons in the rectory, the victim came to know Uhrig. Also, the victim's parents would routinely invite priests to their home for dinner. Through working at the parish and frequenting family dinners, Uhrig became a close family friend. Uhrig began to groom the victim by showing her attention and complimenting her. She suffered from low self-esteem and expressed that to Uhrig. Uhrig's compliments built trust between them. Eventually, Uhrig initiated physical contact such as hugging, holding hands, and kissing the victim on the lips. Uhrig eventually progressed to groping the victim's breasts over her clothing. The victim would touch Uhrig's leg and lap area over his clothing with her hands, taking notice that his penis would be erect. The victim reported that these types of interactions occurred approximately twice a week for about four years. The incidents took place at the rectory and in Uhrig's vehicle. The victim was often in Uhrig's vehicle as he would drive her home from working in the rectory or when she would accompany him on "family visits." When the victim reached her sophomore year, she realized her relationship with Uhrig was wrong and began to avoid Uhrig. One month prior to her formal complaint, the victim contacted Father Anthony Mongillo. Mongillo had been a long-time family friend. Mongillo, who was a friend of Uhrig, offered no advice or instruction on how she should deal with her abuse. The victim described the impact of the abuse in detail. Due to her victimization, she had suffered three failed marriages. The victim was able to disclose the abuse to her mother, who was shocked and upset at the disclosure. However, the victim remained unable to tell her father of the abuse. In 1995, Uhrig left the Diocese and was incardinated to the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey. Following a report to that Diocese, he was placed on leave. The Diocese appears to have reported the complaint to local law enforcement upon receipt of the complaint. However, no prosecution was initiated because the statute of limitations had expired. 382 Reverend Andrew Aloysius Ulincy Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1936 N/A May 21, 1966 Employment/Assignment History 6/1/1966 - 9/2/1967 Professor, Marian High School, Hometown, PA 6/1/1966 - 3/27/1969 Resident, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, PA 11/1/1966 - 3/27/1969 Regional Director of Vocations, Carbon County, PA 12/9/1966 - 11/1/1970 Secretary, Committee on Ecumenism 3/27/1969 - 10/30/1979 Pastor, St. Mary, Mahanoy City, PA 11/1/1970 12/1/1974 - 10/30/1979 10/30/1979 - 12/1/1981 3/4/1980 - 12/1/1981 12/1/1981 - 2/15/1982 2/15/1982 - 5/4/1982 5/4/1982 - 1/3/1995 12/21/1992 - 12/21/1995 1/3/1995 - 8/21/1996 8/21/1996 - 6/5/1997 6/5/1997 - 9/11/1997 9/11/1997 - 9/21/2010 8/28/2001 - 9/21/2010 12/1/2009 - 9/21/2010 3/1/2011 Member, Committee on Ecumenism Regional Director, Family Life Bureau, E. Schuylkill, PA Pastor, St. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem, PA Parish Priest Consultor Sick leave Assistant Pastor, St. Michael, Lansford, PA Pastor, St. Joseph, Frackville, PA Advisory Board Member, Cardinal Brennan High School Assistant Pastor, Holy Rosary, Reading, PA Administrator Pro Tempore, Immaculate Conception, Birdsboro, PA Administrator, St. Paul, Reading, PA Pastor Pro Tempore, St. Paul, Reading, PA Spiritual Director, Holy Name Society for Berks Deanery, Pastors of Berks Deanery, Council of Priests, Representative Retired 383 Summary The Diocese of Allentown became aware of Father Andrew Ulincy's sexual abuse of children in 1981. On November 16, 1981, a 17 -year-old victim reported to the Bethlehem Police that Ulincy had sexually propositioned him. Ulincy was contacted by the police and admitted that the victim's complaint was true. There is no evidence that the solicitation resulted in any criminal charges. The Grand Jury has learned that it is not uncommon for Diocesan investigators to make contact with previously reported victims during a review of confidential files within any given diocese. In this case, the 1981 victim was re -interviewed in June 2010 by an investigator for the Diocese. That interview was preserved in a report, stating: "[The victim] had run away from home . . .He thought a good place to go for help was a church. The victim went to the rectory and was invited in by Father Ulincy. The priest told him to take a shower while the priest put his clothes in the dryer. The victim came out of the shower and was met by Father Ulincy who offered to help "dry him [the victim] off", and offered the victim alcohol. Father Ulincy then fondled the victim's penis. Father Ulincy then turned the victim over, held him down on the bed, and anally penetrated him [the victim]." Evidence of one other incident involving Ulincy was presented to the Grand Jury. Memorandums obtained from the Diocese showed that, during remodeling in the early 1990's, a group of contractors were working within the rectory at St. Joseph in Frackville. Ulincy was the pastor and lived in the rectory. Ulincy "dropped his pants" in front of a 25 -year-old male contractor. Ulincy appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and the contractor appeared to be specifically targeted by Ulincy for this indecent exposure. The incident was reported to law enforcement but appears to have been dropped as the result of a $2,500.00 payment to the contractor and Ulincy's transfer from St. Joseph. In September 2010, some 29 years after the first report, Ulincy was removed from active ministry. By that time, he had served in at least nine other parishes or assignments, one of which was as an Advisory Board Member for the Cardinal Brennan Catholic High School. 384 Reverend Ronald Yarrosh Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1947 N/A October 19, 1974 Employment/Assignment History 11/1974 - 12/1975 Assistant Promotion Director P.I.M.E. (Pontifical Institute for 2/1976 8/1976 2/1977 2/1982 6/1982 6/1986 6/1988 5/1990 - 6/1976 - 11/1976 - 11/1981 - 6/1982 - 10/1985 - 6/1988 - 11/1991 6/1996 6/1996 6/1997 6/1998 6/1999 - 6/1996 - 6/1998 - 6/1997 - 7/1997 - 6/1999 - 6/2001 6/1999 6/2001 6/2003 - 6/2001 - 6/2003 - 4/2004 11/1991 Foreign Missions), Detroit, MI, Language Student, P.I.M.E., Rome, Italy Missionary, P.I.M.E., Hong Kong Mission Appeal, P.I.M.E., Detroit, MI Assistant Pastor, St. Anthony, Easton, PA Assistant Pastor, Holy Rosary, Reading, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Patrick, Pottsville, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA Incardination into the Diocese of Allentown Assistant Pastor, St. Anne, Bethlehem, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Margaret, Reading, PA Campus Minister, Albright College, Reading, PA Assistant Pastor Pro Tempore, St. Peter, Reading, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Jane Frances de Chantel, Easton, PA Pastor, Holy Family, Sacred Heart Churches, New Philadelphia, PA Pastor, St. Anthony, Cumbola, Assistant Pastor, St. Bernard, Easton, PA Assistant Pastor, St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, PA Summary On April 22, 2004, Diocesan documents recorded that the Pennsylvania State Police searched the rooms of Father Ronald Yarrosh and found a "tremendous amount" of child pornography. On April 29, 2004, Yarrosh was removed from priestly ministry and entered St. John Vianney Hospital for evaluation and treatment. On May 12, 2004, the Pennsylvania State Police filed charges against Yarrosh, specifically, 110 counts of sexual abuse of children after discovering hundreds of child pornography photos, books, magazines, videos, and DVD's in his possession. As law enforcement began its prosecution, Diocesan Support Services conducted an audit and determined that Yarrosh embezzled approximately $23,000.00 from the parish. Charges were filed related to this theft. 385 Summary On April 27, 2005, Yarrosh entered a plea of guilty to charges of theft and possession of child pornography. Yarrosh was sentenced pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement to imprisonment for three to 23 months, $250.00 in fines, and restitution to the parish. On May 3, 2005, Yarrosh was discharged from St. John Vianney Hospital and took residence at St. Francis Villa, Orwigsburg. Yarrosh was to begin his term of incarceration later that year. However, on July 18, 2005, the Diocese was made aware that Yarrosh was leaving his residence at St. Francis Villa. On July 19, 2005, a letter was written to Yarrosh informing him that he was to remain at the residence, under supervision, until he was ordered to report to prison. Yarrosh subsequently met with the Secretary of Clergy and informed him that he could not remain at the Villa and would be leaving. On July 21, 2005, Yarrosh left St. Francis Villa and moved into a motel. Yarrosh continued in residence at the motel until August 8, 2005, at which time he was incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison in Pottsville. Upon his release on November 31, 2005, Yarrosh registered with the Pennsylvania State Police as a sexual offender. Upon his release from prison, Yarrosh was still a priest. On December 6, 2005, Yarrosh was released from prison as a convicted and registered sex offender. The Diocese granted him residence at St. Francis Villa in Orwigsburg. The Diocese's own designation of Yarrosh noted he was a "moderate to high risk to again use pornography and/or consort with prostitutes." In November 2006, it was discovered that Father Yarrosh had taken trips to New York City with a seven -year -old child. Yarrosh was also found to be in possession of pornography in violation of his court supervision. The Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas subsequently sentenced Yarrosh to four to ten years in state prison for violating the terms of his supervision. Finally, in June 2007, the Diocese dismissed Yarrosh from the priesthood. 386 Reverend Joseph A. Zmijewski, D.D. Biographical Information YEAR OF BIRTH: YEAR OF DEATH: ORDINATION: 1910 1968 December 6, 1936 Employment/Assignment History 8/18/1938 - 7/8/1942 Assistant, St. Ladislaus, Philadelphia, PA 7/8/1942 - 5/8/1961 Chaplain, Bernardine Sisters, Reading, PA 5/8/1961 - 10/27/1961 Defender of the Bond 10/27/1961 - 1/27/1964 Administrator Pro Tempore, St. Mary's, Reading, PA 1/27/1964 - 8/4/1967 Member, Diocesan Liturgical Commission 8/4/1967 Promoter of Justice, The Tribunal Summary On October 26, 2004, an adult woman reported to the Diocese of Allentown that she was a victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of a Diocesan priest. The victim grew up in Reading and had been a member of the St. Mary Greek church. She also attended St. Peter school on South Fifth Street in Reading. In 1950, while in the ninth grade, the victim met Father Joseph A Zmijewski. She was in a new school and was experiencing unhappiness mixed with missing her friends at her previous school. The victim began regular counseling session with Zmijewski. Zmijewski was a registered psychologist and had been recommended by another priest. Zmijewski proposed a course of alternative treatment. He directed the victim to come to his personal residence where he could help the victim through hypnosis. The victim complied and attended four hypnosis sessions with Zmijewski at his residence. The victim became increasingly frustrated with this routine. After the first three attempts by Zmijewski to hypnotize her, she agreed to a fourth session. In an effort to expedite her "treatment," she feigned hypnosis during her fourth session. While she pretended to be hypnotized, Zmijewski instructed her to take off one piece of clothing after another. The victim was scared and complied until she was nude Zmijewski then left the room for a short period of time. Upon his return, he instructed the victim to get dressed. The victim never returned for any further "treatment" and kept the incident to herself into adulthood. Upon receiving the victim's report, the Diocese noted that the abuse would have occurred prior to the formation of the Allentown Diocese from within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Allentown Diocese referred the complaint to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Zmijewski died in 1968. 387 388