Two Philadelphia priests removed from ministry after abuse claims

Philadelphia, Pa., May 22, 2012 / 19:08 pm

As a part of his ongoing effort to address cases of abuse in the Philadelphia archdiocese, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has found two priests unsuitable for ministry after reports that they each sexually abused minors.

Monsignors Hugh P. Campbell and George J. Mazzotta were determined to be unsuitable for ministry, the archdiocese announced May 20.

The announcement is not connected to the recent resolution of eight cases of priests who were placed on administrative leave after a February 2011 grand jury report alleged that the clergymen sexually abused minors or behaved inappropriately.

Msgr. Campbell, a 77-year-old retired priest of the archdiocese, self-reported in December 2011 that he had sexually abused a minor. The claim was reported to law enforcement and the priest was placed on administrative leave at the time of his report.

His most recent assignment was St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in West Chester, Pa. He retired in 2007 and moved to a private residence.

Msgr. Mazzotta, 73, was the object of a "substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor" in May 2010, the archdiocese said. The archdiocese reported the charge to law enforcement.

The priest's two most recent assignments were Stella Maris Parish in Philadelphia and St. Madeline Parish in Ridley Park.
 
Since the reported abuse against them, both priests have been barred from exercising public priestly ministry, wearing clerical garb, or presenting themselves publicly as priests.

Both have agreed to accept a supervised life of prayer and penance.

Announcements about the allegations were made at the parishes where the priests were most recently assigned. Counselors were present during the announcements.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has asked any victims of sexual abuse who need support or assistance to contact the archdiocese's Victim Assistance Office. The archdiocese said allegations of sexual abuse should be referred to local law enforcement agencies and the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations.