Father Thaddeus Kondzielski
Diocese of Erie
Ordained: 1967
Health leave: 1986 – 1988
Retired: 2013
Assigned as follows:
- 1967 – 1986: Cathedral Preparatory (Erie,PA)
- 1967 – 1970: St. Stanislaus (Erie, PA)
- 1970 – 1986: St. Hedwig (Erie, PA)
- 1988 – 2013: St. Philip Crossingville (Edinboro, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Thaddeus Kondzielski:
Fr. Thaddeus Kondzielski was ordained a priest in 1967, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Erie. According to media reports, in 2013, the Diocese of Erie received a report from a victim claiming to have been abused by Father Thaddeus Kondzielski during his sophomore year at Cathedral Preparatory High School in approximately 1983. The man said the abuse began when Kondzielski asked the victim to assist him in grading papers at the church rectory. Once the task was complete, Kondzielski, the sports coach at the school at the time, asked the student to stay and lift weights with him. Since the student did not have the proper workout attire, Kondzielski suggested they exercise “naked.” So they did. The victim immediately confided in his parents about the incident with Kondzielski and was instructed to keep his distance from the priest.
When confronted with the allegation in 2013, Kondzielski reportedly did not deny the allegation, “because it could have happened.” He also confirmed the victim’s statement that it was common practice for Kondzielski to make the boys swim naked in the school pool. According to Kondzielski, he did not think it was a big deal because the headmaster knew about it and never said anything. He also admitted that it was a common occurrence for the boys that helped grade his papers to spend the night with him in the same bed.
Presumably as a result of the allegation and the priest’s admissions, Kondzielski retired (voluntarily) in 2013. His name now appears on the Diocese of Erie’s 2018 list of credibly accused priests. In 2018, he was also named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report.
Kondzielski is presumed to be residing in a retirement home for priests, though we are not absolutely certain of that fact. The Diocese of Erie has provided no information about his current whereabouts.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Erie. 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 Erie 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.