Father Charles Newman (Franciscan)
Ordained: 1985
Removed: 2004
Assigned as follows:
- Archbishop Ryan High School (Philadelphia, PA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Charles Newman:
Father Charles Newman, a Franciscan friar, was ordained a priest in 1985 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served at Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia's largest Roman Catholic high school, as a teacher, and was promoted to principal in 1993. He became president in 2002. In November 2003, he was fired for financial mismanagement.
According to media reports, in 2004, he was one of two clergy accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old male student between 1994 and 1996. He allegedly plied the boy with alcohol, cocaine and marijuana, and performed oral sex on him at St. Pius X Friary. He also gave the boy hush money totaling $53,000 in checks and cash, some of it funds from the high school.
The Franciscan order removed Father Newman from active ministry and sent him for counseling and treatment for "sexual predatory conduct." The Franciscans allegedly offered the boy $50,000 to sign a release. He filed a civil suit, but it was dismissed citing statute of limitations.
In November 2006, Father Newman's accuser committed suicide with a drug overdose. In December 2007, the priest was arrested on multiple counts of theft totaling $900,000 from the archdiocese and his religious order, and one count of forgery. In March 2009, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison, followed by 10 years' probation.
In December 2013, Father Newman was paroled. As of January 2019, he is said to be living a life of prayer and penance.
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 adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.