Our law firm is offering free, confidential evaluations of sexual abuse claims involving Catholic priests in the Diocese of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania). Our team has been handling clergy sexual abuse claims for decades. Contact us today at (954) 641-2100 or by email at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to find out your legal options.
The facts are clear: the Diocese of Harrisburg enabled and concealed the sexual abuse of children for decades.
The Diocese of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) has been home to dozens of priests accused of sexually abusing children over the course of decades. A recent grand jury report outlined allegations involving 45 priests. Many others have been publicly identified by brave sexual abuse survivors who pursued legal action against the Diocese of Harrisburg to hold it accountable for shielding and protecting abusers above the children entrusted to their care.
Both civil lawsuits and grand jury reports involving the Diocese of Harrisburg have shed light on the practices of the Diocese of Harrisburg in responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. The facts suggest that the Diocese of Harrisburg is responsible for creating a dangerous culture of sexual abuse and coverup, and fostering a dangerous environment for children despite being in a position to protect God’s most innocent people. According to the grand jury report:
“The Grand Jury uncovered evidence of child sexual abuse committed by priests of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Evidence established that priests engaged in sexual contact with minors, including grooming and fondling of genitals and/or intimate body parts, as well as penetration of the vagina, mouth, or anus. The evidence also revealed that Diocesan administrators, including bishops, had knowledge of this conduct and that priests were regularly placed in ministry after the Diocese was on notice that a complaint of child sexual abuse had been made. The Diocese’s actions enabled the offenders and endangered the welfare of children.
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Finally, the Grand Jury received evidence that several Diocesan administrators, including bishops, often dissuaded victims from reporting to police, or conducted their own deficient, biased investigating without reporting crimes against children to the proper authorities.”
Ahead of the grand jury report, the Diocese of Harrisburg released the names of 71 priests, seminarians, and laypersons accused of sexually abusing children since 1941. You can find out more information about many of these priests below.
The Diocese of Harrisburg has established a voluntary compensation fund for survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg, but you must act soon.
Recently, the Bishop of Harrisburg, Ronald Gainer, announced that the Diocese of Harrisburg has formed a confidential, voluntary compensation settlement fund for victims of sexual abuse by clergy of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The fund, which is modeled after similar funds in New York, will compensate victims in a shorter, more cursory process than full-blown litigation. We have handled hundreds of claims in these funds and are familiar with the process and the expectations.
The fund will be administered by Boston-based Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc., a third-party neutral, who will evaluate each of the claims for eligibility and value.
All claims must be registered with the administrators by May 12, 2019, so it is important that you act soon to protect your rights under the fund. Contact us today.
We have identified 54 priests who were accused of sexually abusing children in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Through our own investigation, we have identified 54 priests who have been publicly accused of sexual misconduct with children:
- Fr. John G. Allen
- Fr. Francis Bach
- Fr. Luis Jesus Barajas Arias (Trinitarian)
- Fr. Richard Barry (Oblates)
- Fr. James W. Beeman
- Msgr. John P. Bolen
- Fr. John R. Bostwick, III
- Fr. Frederick R. Bradel
- Msgr. Joseph Bradley
- Fr. William Cawley
- Fr. Donald W. Cramer
- Fr. Patrick D’Alessandro
- Fr. Philip DeChico
- Fr. Raymond E. Dougherty
- Fr. Joseph Driscoll (Redemptorist/Navy Chaplain)
- Fr. Walter Emala
- Fr. Bernard Flanagan (Diocese of Allentown)
- Fr. Paul Fisher
- Fr. Augustine “Gus” Giella
- Msgr. Joseph Hager
- Fr. Thomas Ronald Haney
- Fr. William T. Haviland
- Fr. John Herber (Missionaries of the Precious Blood)
- Msgr. Francis Hudak
- Fr. Kevin Kayda
- Fr. George Koychick
- Msgr. Thomas J. Kujovsky
- Fr. Thomas Lawler
- Fr. Arthur J. Long (Jesuit)
- Fr. David Luck
- Msgr. Robert J. Maher
- Fr. Daniel J. Mahoney
- Fr. Guy D. Marsico
- Fr. John McDevitt (Oblates)
- Fr. Anthony J. McGinley
- Fr. Ibarra C. Mercado
- Fr. Neil J. Murphy
- Fr. James E. Noel
- Fr. Joseph M. Pease
- Fr. Charles Procopio
- Fr. John Rebovich (Oblates)
- Fr. Guido Miguel Quiroz Reyes (Franciscan)
- Fr. Stephen Rolko
- Fr. Thomas Scala
- Fr. Herbert Shank
- Fr. Patrick J. Shannon (Oblates)
- Fr. James Shaughnessey
- Fr. Timothy Sperber
- Fr. Carl J. Steffen
- Fr. John J. Suknaic
- Msgr. Francis J. Taylor
- Fr. Frederick J. Vaughn
- Fr. Salvatore V. Zangari
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Harrisburg. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Harrisburg may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.