Father Joseph Monahan
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1962
Health Leave: 1975-1980
Excardinated to Archdiocese of St. Louis: 1980
Died: 2017
Assigned in Philadelphia Archdiocese as follows:
- 1962-1968: Mother of Divine Providence (King of Prussia, PA)
- 1967-1968: Archbishop Carroll High School
- 1968-1974: Presentation B.V.M. (Wynnewood, PA)
- 1974-1975: St. Alphonsus (Maple Glen, PA)
- 1975: St. Philip Neri (Pennsburg, PA)
- 1975-1980: Leave of Absence for Health Reasons
- 1980-2002: Assigned in Archdiocese of St. Louis
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Joseph Monahan:
Father Joseph Monahan was ordained a priest in 1962 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, he was on an extended health leave prior to his excardination (transfer) to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. These two facts, particularly when combined, suggest that Monahan had been accused of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sometime before 1975, since a notorious pedophile priest treatment center was located just outside of St. Louis. It was not uncommon for priests who were “treated” there to remain there in ministry since the Archdiocese of St. Louis welcomed priests with problematic histories like them. Of course, it not possible to say that is what transpired conclusively without having seen Monahan’s personnel file.
Not much is known about the allegation(s) against Monahan, as the only one that has become public was contained in the 2005 grand jury report. According to the summary provided by the grand jury, in 2002, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received a report that Monahan sexually abused an eighth-grade student (a boy) at Presentation B.V.M. in Wynnewood in approximately 1969. The victim was told that Monahan became a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and no further action was taken.
Monahan’s name does not appear on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s lists of laicized or deceased priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse.
According to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Monahan died in 2017 as a retired priest in good standing.
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 [email protected] to discuss your options today.