A priest from the Diocese of Scranton has been suspended from ministry; SNAP calls for transparency

July 31, 2024

A priest from the Diocese of Scranton has been suspended from ministry.

https://www.wvia.org/news/local/2024-07-30/diocese-of-scranton-priest-found-guilty-of-sexual-abuse-under-church-law

Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly is guilty under canon law of the sexual abuse of two minors. The Diocese of Scranton announced the findings on Tuesday, ending a four-year disciplinary process.

Seven individuals alleged that Kelly had sexually abused them as children prior to October of 2020, the Diocese said. Kelly was placed on administrative leave at that time.

By January 2023, the diocese received an additional allegation

We are grateful to the victims who came forward and made a report and we now call on church officials to be more transparent regarding the accusations against this priest and the steps they are taking to find and support other potential victims.

Because of the reality of delayed disclosure in cases of sex crimes, it is likely that other potential victims might take decades to come forward. We encourage anyone who may have information of other abuses by clergy members to report this immediately to authorities. It is rare that an abuser has just one victim. Similarly, we hope that the example of this brave survivor will encourage others who were hurt in Scranton to come forward and get help.

CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager ([email protected], 267-261-0578 )

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Michael McDonnell published this page in Official SNAP Media Statements 2024-07-31 08:46:34 -0500

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