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York Daily Record
List: Accused priests with ties to Harrisburg diocese
Watch: Clergy abuse victim wants priests publicly named
Watch: Clergy abuse and the Harrisburg diocese
FOR THE FIRST TIME, DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT 15 PRIESTS WITH TIES TO THE HARRISBURG DIOCESE WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN.
Brandie Kessler, bkessler@ydr.com
The Diocese of Harrisburg has acknowledged by name 15 priests who have been accused of sexually abusing children and who at one time worked in the diocese — including one who served in Dallastown in 1989-90.
The Rev. Raymond Prybis was accused of abuse during his time at a Boston-area parish before he was transferred to York County, according to a personnel file released by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in January 2015. The Harrisburg diocese said he did not have a credible allegation of abuse while at St. Joseph’s.
A list of 15 priests, compiled by the York Daily Record, was provided to the diocese on June 14. On July 21, after multiple requests by the Daily Record, the diocese responded to each name on the list. It is believed to be the first time the Harrisburg diocese has confirmed a list of accused priests, including details on where and when they served, and how the diocese responded when the allegations were made.
In 2007, the diocese said publicly that it had received allegations against 24 priests since 1950, but it did not name them. As of Aug. 8, it had not responded to a request for information on all accused priests with ties to the Harrisburg diocese.
The Daily Record’s investigation was spurred by grand jury findings in the neighboring Altoona-Johnstown diocese. That report revealed more than 50 accused priests and hundreds of victims. The YDR’s effort to account for the scope of clergy abuse in the Harrisburg diocese has resulted in findings that include:
* Fifteen priests identified as having been accused of abusing children, including eight never named publicly through the diocese or media.
* In some cases, the Harrisburg diocese’s response to the list of 15 did not say whether an accusation was credible, even if it said action was taken against a priest. The diocese did not provide details in response to follow-up questions from the York Daily Record.
* The diocese continues to hear from – and offer help to – survivors of priest abuse. The effort includes an office within the diocese that has a limitless budget earmarked for survivors.
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