Msgr. Michael Polcha

Diocese of Scranton

Ordained: 1933

Died: 1989

Assigned as follows:

1933: St. Julianna (Rock Lake, PA)
1933-1942: St. John the Baptist (Pittston, PA)
1942-1948: Corpus Christi (Montdale, PA)
1948-1950: Our Lady of Fatima Institute (Elmhurst, PA)
1950-1958: St. Eulalia (Elmhurst, PA)
1958-1989: Holy Trinity (Swoyersville, PA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Msgr. Michael Polcha:

Msgr. Michael Polcha was ordained a priest in 1933, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. According to media reports, in Monsignor Polcha was first identified publicly as a priest accused of sexual misconduct with at least one minor child in December 2018, when the Diocese of Scranton quietly added him to its list of credibly accused priests. No details were made public about the allegation(s) against Polcha, such as the age/gender of his victim(s) or the parish he was assigned to at the time of the abuse.

In order to be included on its list of credibly accused priests, the Diocese of Scranton has determined that the following standard applies: "Allegations of abuse were corroborated by secular legal proceedings, canon law proceedings, self-admission by the individual, and/or other evidence." It is not clear which of these applies in the case of Polcha.

Polcha died in 1989. It is unclear from the assignment history provided by the Diocese of Scranton if he was still in active ministry at the time or if he was retired. In any event, he remained a priest in good standing at the time of his death.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Scranton. 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 Scranton may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and nationwide. We can help.

Msgr. Michael Polcha – Diocese of Scranton