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The Philadelphia Archdiocese is facing another debacle. This time, it involves a priest, Michael Chapman, who was put on administrative leave last year while the Archdiocese conducted an investigation. As a result of that investigation, Chapman was reinstated for ministry. He was just suspended for an allegation of child sex abuse.
The Archdiocese investigation involved 21 priests who were investigated for allegations ranging from misbehavior to sexual abuse. Those priests were:
- Philip Barr
- John Bowe
- George Cadwallader
- Paul Castellani
- Michael Chapman
- Msgr. John Close
- Msgr. Francis Feret
- Mark Fernandes
- Msgr. Michael Flood
- Mark Gaspar
- Joseph Glatts
- Steven Harris
- Daniel Hoy
- Msgr. Joseph Logrip
- Andrew McCormick
- Zachary Navit
- Leonard Peterson
- Robert Povish
- John Reardon
- Thomas Rooney
- Peter Talocci
Earlier this year, the Archdiocese suspended several of those priests. Many were suspended for boundary violations, and at least one priest was suspended due to an allegation of sexual abuse. For more information about the suspended Philadelphia priests, click here.
Michael Chapman was found suitable for ministry by the Archdiocese in May of this year. That same month, the Archdiocese received allegations of sexual abuse committed by Chapman. He has since been suspended and the Archdiocese reported the crimes to law enforcement.
Michael Chapman is only 56 years old and has been ordained since 1982. He has served in various Philadelphia area churches, including Saint Agnes in West Chester and Saint Henry in Philadelphia.
Anyone with information about priest or church abuse should speak to law enforcement. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit telephone number is 215-685-3252 and the District Attorney’s Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit telephone number is 215-686-8080.
Related Pennsylvania Priest/Church Sex Abuse Legal Articles:
- The Repressed Memory Theory in Pennsylvania Priest and Child Sex Abuse Cases
- What to Expect in Priest/Clergy Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuits in Pennsylvania or New Jersey
- Pennsylvania Priest Sex Abuse Law: The Fraudulent Concealment Exception to the Statute of Limitations
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Priest/Church Sex Abuse Lawyer
Former sex crimes unit prosecutor, Guy D’Andrea, has devoted his entire career to helping victims of sex abuse find justice.
For a free, confidential consultation about a Pennsylvania or New Jersey priest/church sex abuse case, call Click To Call. Mr. he’s law firm has the resources and experience to handle matters outside the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area, and the firm’s sex abuse lawyers can be admitted into other states such as New York.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Published: September 19, 2012
Source: www.archphilla.org, “Update Regarding Reverend Michael Chapman”, 9/17/12
