Father Thomas Smith
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1951
Died: 2015
Assigned as follows:
- St. Anselm High School (Swissvale, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Thomas Smith:
Father Thomas Smith, known as the “singing and dancing priest” was ordained in 1951, and served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He started out in a career on stage, performing at clubs in New York City before entering the seminary. He continued to perform while based at a McKeesport parish, in local nightclubs, at church dinners and church fundraisers into the 1990s.
According to media reports, in December 2018, he was accused publicly at a diocesan listening session by a woman who said he sexually abused her in 1967, when she was a 15- or 16-year-old St. Anselm High School student. She said he grabbed and played with her breasts when the lights were low at a school dance.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh said this is the first allegation it has received regarding Smith, who now appears on its list of priests accused of abuse after their deaths.
Smith died at age 90 in 2015.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.