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March 14, 2018

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Announces the Appointment of John P. Delaney, Jr., Esq. as the New Director of its Office for Investigations

Mr. Delaney previously served in the Office of the District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia for over 35 years; his appointment follows the retirement of Albert Toczydlowski, Esq., the inaugural Director of the Office of Investigations

Background

 In the summer of 2011, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia established the Office of Investigations within its Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. At the same time, it announced that Albert J. Toczydlowski, Esq., had been appointed as the inaugural director. Mr. Toczydlowski came to the Archdiocese as a veteran prosecutor with over 30 years of experience in the Office of the District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. There, he rose to the rank of Deputy District Attorney.

 Under Mr. Toczydlowski’s leadership since its inception, the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations has been crucial to the successful efforts of the local Church in protecting the children and young people entrusted to its care as well as ensuring integrity in financial stewardship. 

 One of the primary responsibilities of this office is to ensure that allegations of illegal activity purportedly committed by clergy, lay employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese and its related entities are promptly reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. It also serves as liaison with law enforcement to ensure full cooperation by the Archdiocese in the event of a subsequent criminal investigation.

The Director of the Office of Investigations oversees the work noted above and is the liaison between the Archbishop and the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board (APRRB). The APRRB was established in 2002 and functions as a confidential advisory body to the Archbishop. It is composed of 12 men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who possess extensive professional experience in investigation, prosecution, child abuse prevention, victim services, and the treatment of sexual offenders. Information regarding the credentials of the APRRB’s members is available at:
https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/.

 The APRRB receives the results of canonical investigations conducted by the Office of Investigations. The APRRB then evaluates all facts and makes a recommendation to the Archbishop regarding an individual cleric’s suitability for ministry so that he can make a final decision in the matter.

 Today’s Announcement

 Recently, Mr. Toczydlowski announced his intention to retire and an immediate search began to identify his successor. Today, the Archdiocese is proud to announce the appointment of John P. Delaney, Jr., Esq., as the new Director of the Office of Investigations effective immediately. He will work in conjunction with Mr. Toczydlowski during a transitional period over the next several weeks.

 Mr. Delaney comes to the Archdiocese following 36 consecutive years of service with the Office of the District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. There, he rose to the rank of First Assistant District Attorney and functioned as second in command and Chief Operating Officer while reporting directly to the Philadelphia District Attorney.

 In reaction to today’s announcement, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. said, “The work of the Office of Investigations is critical to our efforts to protect children and ensure integrity within Archdiocesan operations. Our local Church has been privileged to benefit from the expertise of Mr. Toczydlowski during his tenure as its director. I’m grateful for his extraordinary service, often under difficult circumstances, and wish him a peaceful retirement.”

 He continued, “I’m confident that Mr. Delaney is the ideal candidate to continue the work of this vital office. He has the right mix of leadership skills, professional background, credibility, and energy to serve in this demanding position. I know he has the expertise necessary to make positive, impactful contributions in this role. I send him my prayerful best wishes as he takes on this work.”

 Following admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1981, Mr. Delaney began working in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where he subsequently served in the following capacities: 

  • Assistant District Attorney (1981-1986);
  •          Chief Assistant District Attorney, Child Abuse Unit (1986-1987);
  •         Chief Assistant District Attorney, Juvenile Court Unit (1987-1991 and 2011-2013);
  •         Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Division (1991-2002);
  •          Deputy District Attorney, Trial Division (2002-2010 and 2013-2018);
  •          Director, Youth Violence Reduction and School Safety Task Force (2010-2011); and
  •          First Assistant District Attorney (2017-2018).

 Mr. Delaney has been active in several legal and professional boards and organizations serving the Commonwealth over the course of his career. Those in which he is currently active include the following:

  • Founding and Current Member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (1989-present);
  •         Chair by Gubernatorial Appointment of the Victim Services Advisory Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (2011-present);
  •          Member by Gubernatorial Appointment of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (2011-present); and
  • Faculty for the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute (1993-present). 


In addition, he has been generously engaged in charitable and civic organizations, including the following:

  •          Various roles on the Board of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (2008-present);
  •       Various roles in the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association (1985-present) including a term as its national president (2011-2012); and
  •          Member of the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees (2010-2012).

 A native Philadelphian and lifelong Catholic, Mr. Delaney attended Saint Clement Parish Elementary School and West Catholic High School before matriculating at the University of Notre Dame. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Relations before pursing and earning a Doctorate in Law from Villanova University.

Currently, he resides in Philadelphia and is an active member of Holy Family Parish in the city’s Manayunk section. In the context of his parish community, Mr. Delaney serves as a Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Vice Chair of the Pastoral Advisory Committee, and Co-Director of the Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Program.

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 Editor’s Note: For additional information about the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations, please visit https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/.