Suspended Philadelphia priest arrested in Maryland for sexual assault of minor

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Catholic Philly

BY MATTHEW GAMBINO

Father Robert L. Brennan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia whose priestly faculties were suspended since 2005, has been arrested in Maryland on charges of sexually abusing a Northeast Philadelphia boy between 1998 and 2001.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams made the announcement at a press conference today, Sept. 26, in Philadelphia.

Father Brennan, 75, was arrested on charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault in Perryville, Md., where he was living in a private residence. He is being held in Maryland’s Cecil County where he faces an extradition hearing today.

He was included in the 2005 Philadelphia Grand Jury report investigating incidents of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The report cited a years-long pattern of reports of inappropriate behavior, including touching and other physical contact, between Father Brennan and boys with whom he came into contact during his assignments at parishes and schools in the archdiocese.

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