Diocese of Scranton finds Msgr. Kelly guilty of child sexual abuse under canon law

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Diocese of Scranton announced Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, a former priest in the Diocese of Scranton, has been found guilty under canon law of the sexual abuse of two children.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by the Diocese of Scranton, Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly was found guilty under canon law of sexually abusing two children after a four-year canonical process.

As a result, Monsignor Kelly was immediately and permanently prohibited from exercising priestly ministry and was not allowed to wear clerical attire or present himself as a priest, the diocese stated.

The Vatican authorized Bishop Joseph Bambera to impose a permanent penalty on Monsignor Kelly, short of authorizing his dismissal from the clerical state, given his advanced age.

By October 2020, seven people had accused Monsignor Kelly of sexually abusing them as
children, some of who received compensation through the Independent Survivors Compensation Program. At that time, Monsignor Kelly was placed on administrative leave.

In January 2023, one additional allegation was received against Monsignor Kelly for sexual abuse of minors, according to a media release from the Diocese of Scranton.

“As Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, I continue to apologize for the pain that has been inflicted upon far too many young people by leaders of our Church. We must never forget or allow time to numb us to the pain that was so willfully inflicted upon innocent lives. I thank the victims in this case for stepping forward and continue to pray daily for their healing,” stated Bishop Bambera.

Although Kelly was found guilty under the Code of Canon Law, he was never charged criminally. As reported by 28/22 News in October 2020, Monsignor Kelly has publicly denied these claims.

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