Father Martin Satchell
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1993
Inpatient Evaluation: 1993
Leave of absence: 1993-2003
Resigned: 2003
Laicized (removed from priesthood): 2004
Settlement of civil lawsuit: 2015
Assigned as follows:
- 1993: St. Raymond of Penafort (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1993-2003: Leave of Absence
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Martin Satchell:
Father Martin Satchell was ordained a priest in 1993 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. According to media reports, in September 1993, only a few months after Father Martin Satchell was ordained a priest, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received information that he sexually abused a 17-year-old student at Lansdale Catholic High School. At the time, Satchell was already apparently in counseling but he was also ordered to undergo a full evaluation at Villa St. John Vianney, a notorious pedophile priest treatment facility in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
Satchell remained on a leave of absence for exactly 10 years, at which point he wrote to Cardinal Justin Rigali asking to petition for laicization (removal from the priesthood by the Vatican). As a result, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s internal review board opened a formal investigation of the 1993 claim. Ultimately, it determined that the allegation was credible and recommended to Cardinal Rigali that he support the laicization petition. Satchell was laicized in September 2004.
In 2015, the Archdiocese quietly settled a lawsuit filed by Satchell’s 1993 victim.
Satchell is still alive and believed to be residing in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania.
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.