Fr. John W. Lennon
Ordained for Maryknoll order; in Philippines 1956-67. Left order around 1975. Pastor of St John the Baptist in Yonkers NY when suspended 4/02 due to allegation he fondled a Cardinal Hayes High School student in mid-1970s during trips to Maine; Lennon was teacher, administrator, and athletics moderator at Cardinal Hayes 1970-81. Denied the allegation, which first surfaced in 1997 when a priest reportedly told the archdiocese about the alleged abuse. Cleared in 1998 after archdiocesan investigation. Accuser not informed of the decision. ‘Dismissed from the clerical state,’ per 4/08 Catholic New York newspaper, ‘in accord with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People … having had his case presented to the CDF.’ Died 12/16/12. Included in 4/26/19 New York archdiocesan list of ‘clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.’
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