Fr. Joseph A. Rock
Assigned to parishes, Catholic Scouting and CYOs. Two reports to diocese in 1986 of ‘sexual contact’ with three boys, one age 9, in the early 1980s. Went on ‘sick leave’ in 2/1986, sent to Paracletes in NM for treatment. Assigned in 10/1987 to a nursing/retirement home for priests. Resigned in 11/2001 after he was accused of the sexual abuse of two elderly residents. Another allegation in 1/1992; Admitted to feeling boys’ genitals. A lawsuit was filed by a 20-year-old man in 1994 claiming the Diocese failed to prevent him from abuse at ages 9-12 by Rock in Mount Carbon. Rock denied the allegation. Settlement for $305K in 2000. Report in 3/2000 of past abuse of a boy beginning when the boy was a 5th or 6th grader. Named in suits filed by five alleged victims in 2004. Laicized in 2005. Accused in 2007 of abuse of a 6th- to 8th-grade boy in 1979-1981. Named in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report and on the diocese’s 8/19/2018 list of credibly accused. Per a 12/2019 lawsuit, Rock abused a girl for 11 years, beginning when she was age 13.
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