Priests with area ties face new sex abuse allegations
PHILADELPHIA >> Two Catholic priests with ties to Chester and Montgomery counties are the latest to face sexual abuse allegations.
One of the priests, the Rev. Raymond Smart, was found to be “not suitable for ministry” following an investigation that he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s. The other clergyman, the Rev. Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip, has been placed on administrative leave after a new claim that he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s.
Smart, 74, was employed at Bishop Shanahan High School from 1991 to 1995, and also served at Saint Pius X High School in Pottstown from 1974 to 1982. Logrip, 73, served at Saints Philip and James in Exton from 2007 to 2008.
The allegations comes on the heels of a Penn-
sylvania grand jury report that found Roman Catholic leaders in Pennsylvania had covered up decades of child sex abuse dating back to the 1940s involving hundreds of priests and more than 1,000 victims.
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 Logrip had been serving.
In 2014, it was recommended that Archbishop that Logrip was suitable for ministry based on an unsubstantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Charles Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined
that 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.
A new allegation that 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, Logrip was placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties were restricted. 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 was shared with residents at Camilla Hall as well as with parishioners at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine at all Masses over the weekend. Counselors were also made available to parishioners at all Masses at that parish.
Logrip 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 (19741983); 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 (20072008); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (20082010); Chaplain, Saint Mary Manor (2010-2011); Saint Stanislaus, Lansdale (20102011); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2011); found suitable for ministry (2014); Chaplain, Camilla Hall (2014-2019); Saint Peter Parish, West Brandywine (20172019); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2019).
Smart has not served in any parish or school since 1995 due to poor health. He has been retired and living in a private residence since 2002. In April 2011 the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation from a third party complainant that 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.
In September 2011, it was recommended to the Archbishop that the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor lodged against Smart was unsubstantiated. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation. Smart retained his priestly faculties, but remained inactive due to his poor health.
In January 2016, the Archdiocese received an allegation that 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 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 2017, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation that Smart had sexually abuse a minor in the early 1980s.
The allegation was referred to law enforcement and the Archdiocese cooperated with authorities in the course of their work.
Smart 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 (19821983);
Chaplain, Saint Gabriel’s Hall, Audubon (19831989); Bishop Kenrick High School, Norristown (19831991); Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown (1991-1995); health leave (1995-2002); retired (2002); priestly faculties restricted (2017); found unsuitable for ministry (2019).
Smart is also believed to have served for a number of years at St. Peter’s Church in Pottstown.
A third priest, Rev. John F. Meyers, 64, was also found to be not suitable for ministry following sexual abuse allegations, the Philadelphia Archdiocese announced Sunday, noting that is referring the allegation to law enforcement.
Victim services are available to the public through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@archphila.org
Those who 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.