Father Kevin Lonergan
Ordained: 2014
Assigned as follows:
- St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Easton, PA)
- Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena (Allentown, PA)
- St. Francis of Assisi (Allentown, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Kevin Lonergan:
Fr. Kevin Lonergan was ordained a priest in 2014, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Allentown. According to media reports, about one week after the groundbreaking PA grand jury report was published in August 2018, he was arrested on charges that he touched a 17-year-old girl in a sexually inappropriate manner, and also sent her nude images of himself. The complaint was made to law enforcement in June 2018. He later pled guilty to a lesser charge of indecent assault.
According to media reports, Lonergan knew the victim from St. Francis of Assisi parish in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He obtained her cell phone number from another parishioner and used social media, such as Snapchat, which transmits photos and videos that disappear after watching, to contact her.
In February 2020, Lonergan was sentenced to a period of one-to two-years of incarceration, the maximum allowable sentence. During his sentencing hearing, the Judge pointed out that Lonergan was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor girl in 2016. The Diocese of Allentown confirmed that it received an allegation during that time period, but felt confident in assigning Lonergan to a new parish because the Department of Children and Youth determined the allegation was "unfounded." Parishioners were never told of the 2016 allegation.
Lonergan will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years after his release from prison.
Following his sentencing, Lonergan appealed the sentence. In his appeal, Lonergan complained that the pronounced sentence exceeded recommendations of county probation officials, who provided the trial court judge with presentence reports. He also said the judge improperly considered factors beyond the crime he was being sentenced for, including prior allegations that he had improper conduct with young girls, leading to a transfer to another parish. The sentencing was upheld by another trial court judge in March 2021. He may still file additional appeals.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Allentown. 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 Allentown may have legal options against the Diocese of Allentown.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.