Father Charles Siegele
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1953
Inpatient treatment: 1967-1968
Died: 1989
Assigned as follows:
- 1953-1957: St. Joseph (Jim Thorpe, PA)
- 1957-1958: St. Jerome (Tamaqua, PA)
- 1958-1967: Cardinal Dougherty High School (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1958-1961: St. Veronica (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1961-1963: Our Lady Help of Christians (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1963-1967: St. Bonaventure (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1967: Most Precious Blood (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1967-1968: Leave of Absence (Villa St. John Vianney)
- 1968-1973: Our Lady of Pompeii (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1973-1979: Our Lady of the Assumption (Strafford, PA)
- 1979-1983: Holy Child (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1983-1989: St. Barnabas (Philadelphia, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Charles Siegele:
Father Charles Seigele was ordained a priest in 1953 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to the Philadelphia 2005 Grand Jury Report, he was accused of molesting at least six boys between 1953 and 1967.
The first allegations came to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in October 1967. According to his file, three boys accused him of abuse during his very first assignment at St. Joseph in Jim Thorpe. Two more allegations involved a 14 year old male student at Cardinal Dougherty High School and a third grade boy, both of whom alleged they were abused during Siegele's assignment at Cardinal Dougherty High School.
According to media reports, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia removed Siegle from ministry following these allegations and sent him for an extended treatment at Villa St. John Vianney, a notorious pedophile treatment center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. When he was discharged in June, 1968, the Archbishop of Philadelphia assigned Siegle to Our Lady of Pompeii in the Franklinville neighborhood of Philadelphia.
In March 1988, the 14 year old boy involved in the 1967 report contacted the Archdiocese of Philadelphia again. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia spoke with Siegele about the allegation, though the grand jury report does not include any information about the contents of that interview. In any event, Siegle remained in ministry at St. Barabas until his death.
Siegele died in 1989. At the time, he was a priest in active ministry at St. Barnabas.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 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 Archdiocese of Philadelphia may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.