Father Robert PovishArchdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1990
Administrative Leave: 2011
Permanent restriction: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- 1990-1992 St. Eugene (Primos, PA)
- 1991-1992 Archbishop Pendergast High School
- 1992-1996 St. Ann (Phoenixville, PA)
- 1996-1998 Archbishop Wood High School
- 1998-2002 Little Flower High School
- 2002-2011 Graterford State Corr. Inst.
- 2002-2011 St. Eleanor (Collegeville, PA)
Summary of Allegations against Father Robert Povish:
Father Robert Povish was ordained a priest in 1990 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, he was one of 21 priests placed on administrative leave in March 2011 in the weeks that followed the release of the second grand jury report involving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The priests, including Povish, were removed while past allegations of sexual misconduct contained in their personnel files were investigated. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has never released any information about the allegations relating to Povish, so it is unclear exactly what misconduct Povish is accused of committing.
According to media reports, in 2012, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that the internal review board recommended Povish's permanent restriction from ministry following its conclusion that Povish violated the "standards of ministerial behavior and boundaries." No additional information about those violation was provided to the public, except for a general statement that priests removed for that reason generally had "boundary issues with children." According to media reports, "Church officials have declined to release details on specific accusations but say boundary issues can include inappropriate talk or contact, sharing alcohol or pornography with minors or other conduct that may be construed as "grooming" a victim."
Povish sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for wrongful termination in 2013, maintaining that he was defamed and wrongfully terminated from his position as a prison chaplain after his restriction from ministry by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He denied having committed any type of sexual misconduct with children in his lawsuit.
Povish is still living and believed to be residing in the Boyertown, Pennsylvania, area. He is 54 years old. His current status with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is unclear as his name does not appear on the Archdiocese's lists of current and former priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of children.
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.