Fr. Thomas J. Smith

Revealed in the 2005 Philadelphia Grand Jury report to have engaged in “depraved and sadistic behavior” with at least three boys age 12-13. The report cites the 2004 archdiocesan Review Board assessment that it “unanimously found credible allegations that ‘Smith took at least three boys playing the role of Jesus in the parish Passion play into a private room, required them to disrobe completely,’ pinned loincloths around them, and then, during the play, encouraged ‘other boys in the play to whip the Jesus character to the point where some of the boys had cuts, bruises and welts.’ These actions, the Review Board found, ‘occurred in multiple parish assignments with a number of different boys over a number of years.’” The sadistic behavior, including pricking the boys with pins and drawing blood, was repeated during practices and at performances, sometimes at additional parishes and at Villanova University. Smith was also accused of abusing boys on vacation trips and as the sole adult on camping trips, and of obliging boys to strip naked for hot tub sessions at a club. Despite allegations received by the archdiocese beginning in 2002, Smith was still in residence at a parish until December 2004. More details were made public when portions of the Smith file were read into evidence at the Msgr. William Lynn trial in 2012, including one survivor’s estimate that he knew of as many as 16 other victims. In addition to seven parish assignments, Smith held positions as Boy Scout chaplain, chaplain at Archbishop Prendergast High School (twice), regional vicar, and Associate Director of the Catholic Youth Organization (twice). Smith was laicized on 3/29/2007. In 2023 and 2024, actor and playwright Jay Sefton performed in his play Unreconciled, based on his experiences with Smith and the archdiocese.