Scranton Diocese: Priest Accused of Sexual Misconduct in Wayne County

Pocono Record
April 14, 2012

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120414/NEWS/120419859

The Diocese of Scranton said officials were notified Wednesday of sexual misconduct involving a minor against The Rev. Russell E. Motsay. The accusation is reported to have occurred when the accuser, now an adult, was a minor.

In response, Diocesan officials immediately cooperated with the Wayne County District Attorney's Office, the county where the abuse is reported to have taken place, and the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop R Dunmore, Honesdale Station.

In addition, the Diocese removed the accused cleric from ministry and suspended his faculties to exercise priestly ministries within the Diocese pending an investigation of the accusation.

Ordained in 1972, Motsay has served as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Carbondale since 1996. His prior appointments included serving as pastor at St. Juliana, Rock Lake; pastor at St. James, Pleasant Mount; assistant pastor at Holy Name, Swoyersville; assistant pastor at St. John the Evangelist, Wilkes-Barre; assistant pastor at Our Lady of Grace, Hazleton; assistant pastor at Sacred Heart, Peckville; catechist at Bishop Neumann High School, Williamsport; assistant pastor at St. Aloysius, Wilkes-Barre; and assistant pastor at Most Precious Blood, Hazleton.

The Diocese of Scranton encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone else, to immediately notify local law enforcement authorities, including in this particular case Trooper John Decker, Pennsylvania State Police, Honesdale at (570) 253-7126; and to contact Joan Holmes, victim's assistance coordinator, at (570) 344-5216; or Diocesan officials, including The Rev. Thomas M. Muldowney, V.E., Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, or Teresa Osborne, chancellor, at (570) 207-2216.