ERIE (PA)
Bishopaccountability.org
Summary of Case: Chester Gawronski was a priest of the Diocese of Erie, ordained in 1976. He assisted at parishes in Oil City, Bradford, Meadville, Sagertown and Erie.
In 1984 a youth told his parents that Gawronski had molested him in the late 1970s, when he was an 11-year-old altar boy St. Bernadette’s in Saegertown. He said that the abuse occurred on an overnight trip at a camping lodge in Oil City. The boy’s father contacted diocesan officials and was told in a letter that action that would “be helpful to Father Chet,” would be taken, to not pursue the matter further, and to keep it quiet. Gawronski was reportedly sent to Maryland for treatment, after which he was placed at St. Patrick’s (later St. Patrick’s/St. Hedwig/s) followed by St. Ann’s in Erie. Per the diocese, Gawronski’s ministry was restricted.
In February 2002 Gawronski was working as a chaplain at a facility for the elderly. He was removed the day after the father of the boy allegedly abused in the late 1970s contacted the diocese to inquire as to the priest’s status. Gawronski was removed the following day.
Gawronski was laicized in 1976.
Ordained: 1976
Laicized: 2006
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