Fr. William J. Shields
A ciivil suit was filed in 3/2004 against the diocese alleging that Shields abused a 12-year-old altar boy in 1972. Shields allegedly invited the boy back to the rectory of St. Ann’s in Lansford after bingo night and began to molest him. The boy reportedly fled and never let himself be alone with the priest again. He said he told his mother and a deacon at the parish. Shields was moved three months later. Another man reported in 3/2004 that Shields sexually abused him at St. Ann’s 25-30 years previously. Shields retired in 1995 and died in 8/2000. Named in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Included on the Allentown diocese’s 8/19/18 list of credibly accused.
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