Monsignor Michael Delaney
Diocese of Scranton
Ordained: 1985
Leave of Absence: 2008-2009
Removed: 2022
Assignment History:
- 1985-1986: Immaculate Conception Church (Scranton, PA)
- 1985-1986: Bishop Hannan High School and Moses Taylor Community Medical Center (Scranton, PA)
- 1992-1994: Saint Gregory Church (Clarks Green, PA)
- 114-2004: St. Gabriel Church (Hazleton, PA)
- 2004-2005: Sacred Heart Church and the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart (Harleigh, PA)
- 2005-2008: Nativity of Our Lord Church (Scranton, PA)
- 2008: Saint John the Evangelist (Pittston, PA)
- 2008-2009: Leave of Absence
- 2009-2012: St. Paul and St. Clare (Scranton, PA)
- 2012-2021: Holy Cross Parish (Olyphant, PA) and Blessed Sacrament Parish (Throop, PA)
- 2021-2022: Our Lady of Snows Parish (Clarks Summit, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Msgr. Michael Delaney:
Monsignor Michael Delaney of the Diocese of Scranton served in multiple parishes throughout his 37-year career. On Friday, March 26, 2022, the Diocese of Scranton received an allegation stating that Monsignor Michael Delaney of Our Lady of the Snows Parish sexually assaulted a 31-year-old man with a cognitive impairment back in 2002. According to an July 2022 press release, Delaney was working at Saint Gabriel Church in Hazleton at the time of the alleged incident.
The Diocese states that it retained a professional investigator to conduct an assessment of the allegation, which was deemed to be credible by the Diocese. Bishop Bambera subsequently placed Delaney on administrative leave and revoked his faculties to perform public priestly ministry (including celebrating Mass and hearing confessions). The Diocese also opened an internal (canonical) investigation according to the procedures established by canon law. The release also states that law enforcement was also informed of the allegations, but no criminal charges have been filed.
According to the Diocese's public statement, the Diocese's internal investigation showed an imbalance of power and vulnerability between Monsignor Delaney and the victim, given the victim's cognitive disabilities documented and shared with the Diocese of Scranton. The Diocese also announced that it previously received reports that Delaney had possibly engaged in inappropriate conduct with four other adults between 2007 and 2009. As a result, he was placed on multiple leaves of absence from 2008 to 2009. Bishop Joseph Martino eventually allowed Delaney to return to ministry each time.
Delaney denies the most recent allegations.
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