PENNSYLVANIA
Patch

By Ann Cornell

The Rev. Robert W. Povish, a former in-residence priest at St. Eleanor’s Parish in Collegeville, is one of five priests removed from ministry, according to a press conference held by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput on Friday afternoon, May 4.

Povish was among 27 priests suspended following a February 2011 grand jury report that charged the Archdiocese of Philadelphia had allowed several priests to remain in active ministry despite what the grand jury deemed credible allegations of abuse or misconduct.

Those on leave face accusations of inappropriate behavior or boundary issues with minors, or of more serious abuse, according to a March 2011 interview with archdiocesan Director of Communications Donna Farrell.