Fr. Robert G. Cofenas
First named as accused publicly in 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Educator, guidance counselor, campus minister. Held prominent diocesan positions. Diocese knew as early as 1979 of concerns about Cofenas’ behavior with boys. Admitted in 2000 to abuse of a 17-year-old boy in 1986, while assigned to a Sinking Spring parish and moderating the Youth Group. Treated 1989-1990 at Paracletes in NM and in 2000 at St. John Vianney in Downington PA. Removed in 2000. Laicized in 2005. Died 12/14/2013. Included on diocese’s 8/19/2018 list. Added to Baltimore’s list 9/2018. Lawsuit in 3/2020 claims abuse of a 7-year-old altar boy at a Reading parish, continuing until the alleged victim was in his 30s. Accused also of ‘sharing’ the boy with other priests. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report.
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