ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA PLACES ONE PRIEST ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND ANNOUNCES TWO OTHERS HAVE BEEN FOUND UNSUITABLE FOR MINISTRY

***CORRECTED ON JANUARY 23, 2019 TO UPDATE REVEREND RAYMOND W. SMART’S HISTORY OF PARISH SERVICE***

Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip has been placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties have been restricted following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s.

Reverend John F. Meyers and Reverend Raymond W. Smart previously had their priestly faculties restricted. Both have been found unsuitable for ministry based on substantiated allegations that they sexually abused minors in the early 1980s.

Contextual Background Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip was previously placed on administrative leave and had his priestly faculties restricted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following the March 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report and based on an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor over two decades before that time.

The allegation was referred to law enforcement and public announcements were made to the media as well as the parish communities where Monsignor Logrip had been serving.

The required canonical (church) investigation of Monsignor Logrip was launched after law enforcement declined to press charges in that matter. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations (AOI) undertook that canonical process.

The AOI is responsible for conducting internal and canonical investigations following the conclusion of work performed by civil authorities. At the time it investigated Monsignor Logrip the AOI was headed by a former Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. Currently, the office is led by a former First Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. The AOI also performs investigations in matters that center on alleged activity that is not illegal in nature, but that may violate The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries established by the Archdiocese.

The Director of the AOI 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 decision in the matter.

In 2014, this board recommended to the Archbishop that Monsignor Logrip was suitable for ministry based on an unsubstantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined that Monsignor Logrip was suitable for ministry. Since that time, he has served as a Chaplain at Camilla Hall, a retirement home for female religious, and as a weekend assistant at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandwyine (Chester County).

Information about the 2014 finding regarding Monsignor Logrip’s suitability for ministry can be found at https://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002385.php.

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

A new allegation that Monsignor Logrip sexually abused a minor several decades ago was recently received by the Archdiocese. This matter has been referred to law enforcement and the Archdiocese will cooperate fully with authorities in the course of their investigation.

As a result of the new allegation, Monsignor Logrip was placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties were restricted earlier this week. While on administrative leave he will not be able to exercise his ministry public, present himself publicly as a priest, or be present in any parishes or schools.

The information above was shared with residents at Camilla Hall as well as with parishioners at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine at all Masses this weekend. Counselors were also made available to parishioners at all Masses at that parish.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

Monsignor Logrip is 73 years old. He was ordained in 1972. He has served at the following parishes, schools and offices: Saint Ignatius, Yardley (1972-1974); Saint Rose of Lima, North Wales (1974-1975); Bishop Kenrick High School (1974-1983); Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting (1975-1981); Saint Gabriel’s Hall (1981-1983); Archbishop Carroll High School (1983-1990); Saint Francis of Assisi, Norristown (1990-1992); Saint Monica, Philadelphia (1992-1994); Mater Dolorosa, Philadelphia (1994-2000); Immaculate Conception, Levittown (2000-2007); Saints Philip and James, Exton (2007-2008); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (2008-2010); Chaplain, Saint Mary Manor (2010-2011); Saint Stanislaus, Lansdale (2010-2011); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2011); found suitable for ministry (2014); Chaplain, Camilla Hall (2014-2019); Saint Peter Parish, West Brandywine (2017-2019); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2019).

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend John F. Meyers

In late 2018, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia placed Reverend John F. Meyers on administrative leave and restricted his priestly faculties following receipt of an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s.

It was the first allegation of this kind lodged against Father Meyers. The allegation was referred to law enforcement and the Archdiocese cooperated with authorities in the course of their work. No criminal charges were filed.

The required canonical (church) investigation of Father Meyers was launched after law enforcement declined to press charges. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations (AOI) undertook that canonical process.

The AOI is responsible for conducting internal and canonical investigations following the conclusion of work performed by civil authorities. Currently, the AOI is led by a former First Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. The AOI also performs investigations in matters that center on alleged activity that is not illegal in nature, but that may violate The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries established by the Archdiocese.

https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/.

This board recently recommended to the Archbishop that Father Meyers was unsuitable for ministry based on a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined that Father Meyers is unsuitable for ministry. His case will now be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican in keeping with procedure for the formal canonical process.

The information above was shared with Malvern Retreat House as it is the last place Father Meyers served prior to being placed on administrative leave.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend John F. Meyers

Father Meyers is 64 years old. He was ordained in 1983. He has served at the following parishes, schools, and offices in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Saint Michael Parish, Philadelphia (1983-1984); Saint Joseph Parish, Aston (19884-1985); Saint Gabriel Parish, Norwood (1985-1988); Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill (1988); Saint John Bosco Parish, Hatboro (1988-1990); Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia (1990-1992); Saint Mark Parish, Bristol (1992-1993); Saint Philomena Parish, Lansdowne (1993-1997); Saint Dominic Parish, Philadelphia (1997-1999); Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Chester (1999-2000); Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for Bucks County (2000-2005); Saint Mark Parish, Bristol (2003); Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bensalem (2005-2011); Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia (2011-2017); Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Ambler (2017); Malvern Retreat House (2017-2018); placed on administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2018); found unsuitable for ministry (2018).

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend Raymond W. Smart

Reverend Raymond W. Smart had served in limited ministerial capacity since 1995 due to poor health. He has been retired since 2002 and living in a private residence since 2017.

In April 2011 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation from a third party complainant that Father Smart had sexually abused a minor. This allegation was referred to law enforcement and no criminal charges were filed. No announcements regarding this allegation were made as the complainant did not provide information as to where the abuse was alleged to have occurred.

The required canonical (church) investigation of Father Smart was launched after law enforcement declined to press charges. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations (AOI) undertook that canonical process.

The AOI is responsible for conducting internal and canonical investigations following the conclusion of work performed by civil authorities. At the time it investigated Father Smart the AOI was headed by a former Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. Currently, the office is led by a former First Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. The AOI also performs investigations in matters that center on alleged activity that is not illegal in nature, but that may violate The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries established by the Archdiocese.

https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/.

In September 2011, this board recommended to the Archbishop that the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor lodged against Father Smart was unsubstantiated. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation. Father Smart retained his priestly faculties, but remained inactive due to his poor health.

In January 2016, the Archdiocese received an allegation that Father Smart had violated The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. This matter related to alleged misconduct with an adult and did not constitute alleged criminal activity.

The allegation was investigated by the AOI. The findings of that investigation were presented to the APRRB following the process noted above. In February 2017, the APRRB recommended to Archbishop Chaput that the alleged violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries was substantiated and that Father Smart’s priestly faculties be formally restricted. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and Father Smart’s priestly faculties were formally restricted at that time. He remained inactive due to his poor health.

In the spring of 2018, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation that Father Smart had sexually abuse a minor in the early 1980s.

His priestly faculties were restricted and the allegation was referred to law enforcement. The Archdiocese cooperated with authorities in the course of their work.

The APRRB recently recommended to the Archbishop that Father Smart was unsuitable for ministry based on a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined that Father Smart is unsuitable for ministry. His case will now be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican in keeping with procedure for the formal canonical process.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend Raymond W. Smart

Father Smart is 74 years old. He was ordained in 1970. He has served at the following parishes, schools, and offices in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Saint Helena Parish, Center Square (1970-1974); Newman Chaplain, Montgomery County Community College (1971-1974); Saint Pius X High School, Pottstown (1974-1982); Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, Philadelphia (1982-1983); Chaplain, Saint Gabriel’s Hall, Audubon (1983-1989); Bishop Kenrick High School, Norristown (1983-1991); Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown (1991-1995); health leave (1995-2002); retired (2002); in residence at Saint Philip Neri Parish, Pennsburg (2002-2017); priestly faculties restricted and moved to private residence (2017); found unsuitable for ministry (2018). In addition to the above noted parish assignments it is known that Father Smart occasionally assisted with the celebration of Mass at Saint Eleanor Parish, Collegeville, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Limerick, during the period of his retirement and prior to the restriction of his priestly faculties. He also occasionally assisted with the celebration of Mass at Saint Peter Parish in Pottstown before and after his retirement and prior to the restriction of his priestly faculties.

To Make a Report

We recognize that today’s public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence and exploitation. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse or any other criminal activity perpetrated by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

If you would like to report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about ongoing efforts within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia over the past 15 years to provide safe environments for the children and young people entrusted to its care and to assist survivors of sexual abuse on their path to healing, please visit www.AOPPledgetoProtect.com.

Contact:

Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)