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	Chesco DA Investigates Alleged Misconduct by Devon Prep Priest By Pete Bannan Main Line November 18, 2011 http://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2011/11/18/main_line_suburban_life/news/doc4ec6d6166de03723880936.txt A priest at Devon Preparatory School in Tredyffrin is being investigated by the Chester County District Attorney’s office for alleged misconduct. The Rev. Richard Wyzykiewicz has been relieved of teaching and public-ministry duties by Devon Prep and the school is cooperating with authorities. A staff member at the Chester County District Attorney’s office said that no charges have been filed at this time, though they did not have further comment by deadline Friday. According to Devon Prep officials, the alleged misconduct reportedly took place in a classroom while Father Wyzykiewicz was sitting at his desk and a group of students was present. The incident is reported to have occurred during the 2010-11 school year. In an e-mail to Main Line Media News, Public Relations Director Rose Lombardo said that the allegation of misconduct “does not involve physical, verbal or electronic contact between Rev. Wyzykiewicz and any student.” Lombardo wrote that “no prior report of this incident had been made by a parent or student to our school or any public authority. ... Law enforcement is aware of the allegation and Devon Prep will be cooperating fully with the investigation. As of last week, Rev. Wyzykiewicz was relieved of his teaching duties, will not be involved in public ministry, and has been assigned to a Piarist community where he will have no contact with children or adolescents.” Parents and students were notified of the priest’s dismissal via e-mail sent out by the school last weekend. The school’s headmaster, the Rev. James J. Shea, addressed students about the dismissal on Monday. Lombardo went on to say that an investigation is under way. “Of immediate and paramount concern is the impact that this sad news may have on our students,” Lombardo wrote. “...Counseling personnel are available on campus for our students. Any parent or student having information they think may be of value to the ongoing inquiries are strongly encouraged to contact the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Headmaster.” The school has 34 teachers, 23 men and 11 women. Two are Piarist Fathers. Devon Preparatory School is a private Roman Catholic college-preparatory school, owned and conducted by the Piarist Fathers. The Piarist order of priests was founded in 1617 in Rome with a mission to provide a Christian education to children and youth. After arriving in Philadelphia in 1954,the Piarist Fathers opened Devon Preparatory School for Boys in 1956 on a 20-acre campus on North Valley Forge Road that was the one-time home of Philadelphia publisher Dr. Charles M. Lea. Contact: pbannan@mainlinemedianews.com
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