Father Dexter Lanctot
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1976
Laicized: 1995
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Dexter Lanctot:
Father Dexter Lanctot's name appeared on a February 1994 memo from William Lynn, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Secretary for the Clergy, to James Molloy, the Vicar for Administration for the Archdiocese. The purpose of the memo was to catalog the sexual abuse allegations kept in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Secret Archives, which are files traditionally accessible only by the archbishop and, sometimes, one of his designees. Under Canon Law, the Archdiocese is required to maintain any potentially scandalous information in the Secret Archives. Of the summary nature of the allegations Lynn wrote, "only basic information is contained in this report so as not to have too much in writing on this matter."
Lanctot's name appears in the section titled "Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors with No Conclusive Evidence." No information is offered as to the details or context of the allegation(s).
Lanctot was not identified in the Philadelphia 2005 Grand Jury Report. His name does not appear on any of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's lists of credibly accused priests.
Lantot is no stranger to publicly embarrassing the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 1987, he was suspended from ministry following his participation in a protest against "nuclear intervention war policies" at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, that result in his arrest and conviction on federal charges for destruction of property.
In 1993, his faculties were permanently restricted following a public exorcism of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia itself. According to media reports, Lanctot stood on the steps of the Chancery swinging an orb filled with incense to cleanse the building of "a diabolic infestation of greed."
According to media reports, Lanctot was laicized (removed from the priesthood) by the Vatican in 1995.
According to his Linked In profile, Lanctot is the Chaplain at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and runs Epiphany House, a placement/adoption agency for special needs children.
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.