The Rev. Leonard Peterson Declared ‘suitable for Ministry’

The Reporter
July 6, 2012

http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/20120706/NEWS01/120709729/the-rev-leonard-peterson-declared-suitable-for-ministry-

The Rev. Leonard Peterson has been declared suitable for ministry following an investigation of “an alleged violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries,” according to a press release from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia today, July 6.

Peterson was among the roughly two dozen priests placed on administrative leave in February 2011 after a grand jury report alleged that several priests remained in active ministry despite being accused of sexual abuse and/or boundary issues.

Peterson most recently served as the pastor at St. Maria Goretti in Hatfield. The parish had been notified, and “announcements of the final resolution of (his cases),” will be made this weekend, according to the press release. The Archdiocese did not release any other details about the accusation against Peterson, only that it was deemed “unsubstantiated.” The findings in the investigations of five other priests were also announced today. According to the Archdiocese, the Rev. Paul Castellani, the Rev. David Givey, the Rev. John Bowe and the Rev. Steven Harris were also accused of “alleged violation(s) of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries.” The claims against Givey and Bowe were substantiated, and both have been declared “unsuitable for ministry,” the press release states.

A sexual abuse allegation against the Rev. Msgr. John Close was unsubstantiated, according to the report.

Father Peterson is 70 years old. He was ordained in 1967. He served at the following parishes and schools: Corpus Christi, Philadelphia (1967-1968); Holy Angels, Philadelphia (1968-1969); Chaplain, Boy Scouts of America (1969); Nativity, B.V.M., Philadelphia (1969); Chaplain, Serra Club of Philadelphia (1969-1970); Cardinal O’Hara High School, Springfield (1969-1980);

Archbishop Ryan Girls High School (1980-1982); Saint Patrick, Norristown (1982-1983); Saint Isidore, Quakertown (1983); Lansdale Catholic High School, Lansdale (1983-1986); Chaplain, West Chester University, Newman Center (1986-1991); Saint Bridget, Philadelphia (1991-1994); Saint Anastasia, Newtown Square (1994-1997); Saint Maria Goretti, Hatfield (1997-2011) (Information provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia).