Baltimore Priest and High School Teacher Accused of Sex Abuse of a Minor

Fox 45
November 7, 2013

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/baltimore-priest-high-school-teacher-accused-sex-abuse-minor-23315.shtml#.UnyZdfm-2Sp

A priest at the Archdiocese of Baltimore and former High School teacher has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor. Father Kolodziej, 69, has been suspended from all public ministry and the Archbishop has withdrawn Fr. Kolodziej's faculties to function as a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Kolodziej was a teacher at Archbishop Curley High School from 1975-79. A former student from this time period has alleged that he was abused on several occasions while Kolodziej wrestled him. The allegations were reported to authorities by Archbishop Curley High School. "The Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Order, and Archbishop Curley High School are unaware of any other allegations of misconduct against Fr. Kolodziej during his time at Archbishop Curley High School," The Archdiocese of Baltimore said in a statement released on Thursday. "Anyone who has any knowledge of child sexual abuse is urged to come forward, and to report it immediately to the police. If clergy or other Church personnel are suspected of committing the abuse, please also call the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348." After serving at Archbishop Curley High School, Kolodziej served as teacher and assistant principal at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY (1979-82), principal at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, NY (1982-88), pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Lawrence, MA (1988-91), rector at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, MA (1991-2001), Minister Provincial of the Order in Ellicott City, MD (2001-2010), and parochial vicar at St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, GA from 2010 until his recent suspension. Kolodziej also served in Buffalo as a hospital chaplain (1970), associate pastor and school director at St. Mary of Sorrows Church (1970-71), and teacher at Bishop Turner High School and Villa Maria College (1971-74) until he entered the Franciscan Order in 1974.