Fr. Thomas Ronald Haney – Diocese of Harrisburg

Fr. Thomas Ronald Haney - Diocese of Harrisburg

Ordained: 1958

Retired: 2006

Died: 2012

Assigned as follows:

1958-1961 St. Anne (Lancaster, PA)
1961-1963 St. Peter (Columbia, PA)
1961 Assumption BVM (Lancaster, PA)
1963-1964 Sacred Heart (Lancaster, PA)
1964-1967 St. James/Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, PA)
1967 St. Ann (Steelton, PA)
1967-1970 St. Edward (Shamokin, PA)
1967-1976 Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School
1976-1981 Holy Spirit (Palmyra, PA)
1981-1985 St. Ann (Steelton, PA)
1985-1992 St. Catherine (Harrisburg, PA)
1992-2006 St. Theresa (New Cumberland, PA)

Haney also held positions in the Diocesan chancery, including as the editor of the Diocesan newspaper.

Summary of Allegations against Fr. T. Ronald Haney:

In 1995, the Diocese of Harrisburg received multiple reports of bizarre, inappropriate conduct by Fr. Ronald Haney while assigned to St. Theresa. A husband and wife reported to the Diocese of Harrisburg that Haney was a close family friend who frequented their home for dinner. The couple had a 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son. The parents overheard Haney talking to the 7-year-old in another room and, heard him say multiple times something to the effect of, "so I guess you've heard about pedophilia." The couple also reported that another mother in their parish told them that Haney came by her home on Christmas day and made inappropriate comments about their daughter's body, though her age is not included in the grand jury report. On this Christmas Day visit (which occurred in 1994), Haney reportedly patted the daughter's buttocks and commented to her parents that the girl had a "nice tight ass."

According to the grand jury report, the two mothers confronted Haney, who "felt embarrassed and hurt," but apologized for his conduct. There is no indication that the Diocese of Harrisburg took any additional action.

Haney died in June 2012. At his funeral mass, Bishop Joseph McFadden called Haney "a great blessing to the Diocese."

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Harrisburg filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Harrisburg may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Harrisburg if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.

Fr. Thomas Ronald Haney – Diocese of Harrisburg