Father Raymond Smart
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1970
Absent on Sick Leave: 1995-2002
Retired (voluntarily): 2002
Faculties restricted: 2017
Found unsuitable for ministry: 2019
Assigned as follows:
- Saint Helena Parish, Center Square (1970-1974)
- Newman Chaplain, Montgomery County Community College (1971-1974)
- Saint Pius X High School, Pottstown (1974-1982)
- Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, Philadelphia (1982-1983)
- Chaplain, Saint Gabriel’s Hall, Audubon (1983-1989)
- Bishop Kenrick High School, Norristown (1983-1991)
- Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown (1991-1995)
- health leave (1995-2002)
- retired (2002)
- priestly faculties restricted (2017)
- found unsuitable for ministry (2019)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Raymond Smart:
Father Raymond Smart was ordained a priest in 1970 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to the Archdiocese, “Reverend Raymond W. Smart has not served in any parish or school since 1995 due to poor health. He has been retired and living in a private residence since 2002.
In April 2011, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation from a third party complainant that Father Smart had sexually abused a minor. This allegation was referred to law enforcement and no criminal charges were filed. No announcements regarding this allegation were made as the complainant did not provide information as to where the abuse was alleged to have occurred.”
According to media reports, in January 2016, the Archdiocese received an allegation that Father Smart had violated The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. This matter related to alleged misconduct with an adult and did not constitute alleged criminal activity. His ministry remained unrestricted.
Smart remained a priest in good standing, limited only by his “poor health,” until he was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor child a second time in 2017. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has not offered many details about the alleged misconduct, except to say that it is alleged to have occurred in the early 1980s. Smart’s exact assignment, as well as the age and gender of the victim have not been made public.
According to media reports, in January 2019, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that its internal review board determined that the 2017 allegation was “credible and substantiated.” Presumably, Smart will now accept a life of “supervised prayer and penance” in lieu of involuntary laicization, and live his remaining days in a retirement home for priests.
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.