SCRANTON (PA)
The Times Tribune [Scranton, PA]
October 8, 2024
By Frank Wilkes Lesnefsky
The Diocese of Scranton defrocked a priest found guilty under church law of sexually abusing children, permanently ending his priesthood with its most severe penalty, the diocese said Tuesday.
Martin M. Boylan, 76, who most recently served at St. Patrick Parish in West Scranton until his removal in April 2016, will never again exercise priestly ministry in any capacity following his dismissal from the clerical state after he was found guilty under canon law for the sexual assault of two minors, according to a statement from the diocese. As a result, Boylan is no longer allowed to celebrate Mass, hear confessions or administer any of the church’s sacraments.
Boylan declined to comment when reached by phone Tuesday afternoon.
The Vatican authorized the disciplinary process through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Holy See.
Boylan’s dismissal concludes a canonical process launched eight years ago.
He has not been criminally charged.
Ordained in 1980, Boylan had assignments across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Wayne, Bradford and Lycoming counties, serving at churches, the now-closed Bishop Hannan High School and Marywood University, according to Boylan’s entry on the Diocese of Scranton’s list of credibly accused individuals.
He was removed from priestly ministry on April 1, 2016, after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor, the diocese said, explaining it determined the accusation was credible using procedures under canon law as well as its “Policy for Response to Sexual Abuse of Minors.”
Following the initial report, the diocese received four more accusations between April 2016 and October 2023 alleging that Boylan had sexually assaulted minors. The diocese reported all of the allegations to law enforcement.
In August 2017, Pennsylvania State Police announced it had closed an inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct by Boylan based on “investigative difficulties” and the statute of limitations, though troopers left the possibility open for further investigation if they received new information.
The Diocese of Scranton individually investigated all five accusations and submitted its findings to the Vatican, which found the accusations credible and authorized the diocese to move forward with adjudication.
Throughout the proceedings, Boylan was represented by a canon lawyer of his choosing and was allowed to present his defense, the diocese said.
The Vatican then reviewed the diocese’s findings that Boylan was guilty of sexually assaulting two minors and authorized the diocese to impose the Catholic Church’s most severe penalty against a priest: permanent dismissal.
Boylan appealed the decision twice — exhausting his appeals — but the Vatican upheld the diocese’s decision in its entirety.
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton, asked for prayer for the victims and their families in a statement Tuesday.
“No one should ever have to endure such trauma, and it is our responsibility to ensure that all survivors are heard, supported and empowered to heal,” Bambera said. “Let me be clear: there is no place in our church for such heinous acts. We must ensure that our church is a safe haven for all, and it is our collective duty to protect, to listen and to stand against any form of abuse.”
Boylan now lives privately, the diocese said.
Contact the writer: flesnefsky@scrantontimes.com; 570-266-8064
Martin M. Boylan’s assignments
- St. Jude, Mountain Top, September 1980
- St. Gabriel, Hazleton, June 22, 1982
- St. Patrick, Scranton, Sept. 6, 1983
- St. Peter’s Cathedral, Sept. 4,1985
- Blessed Sacrament, Wilkes-Barre, Feb. 19, 1986
- St. Mary, Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 4, 1986
- Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, (chaplain and procurator), Sept. 1, 1987
- St. Clare (in residence), Sept. 1, 1987
- Bishop Hannan High school, Scranton, (director of religious formation), Sept. 1, 1988
- Marywood University, Scranton, (chaplain), Sept. 5, 1989, to July 7, 1993
- Sabbatical leave, July 7, 1993
- St. Luke, Stroudsburg (in residence), Jan. 24, 1994
- St. Rita, Gouldsboro, July 6, 1994
- St. John the Evangelist, Honesdale, July 5, 2001
- St. Joseph, White Mills (remaining pastor at St. John the Evangelist), July 30, 2007
- SS. Peter and Paul, Towanda; St. Michael, Canton; St. John Nepomucene, Troy; and St. Aloysius, Ralston, July 15, 2009, to July 11, 2011
- St. Patrick, Scranton, July 11, 2011
- Sabbatical leave, Aug. 20, 2013, to Dec. 1, 2013
- Removed from St. Patrick, April 1, 2016