Fr. John F. Bench
Ordained in 1964 for the Pittsburgh diocese. Relocated to the Charleston diocese in 1980. Resigned from Holy Cross Parish in Pickens at the request of the bishop in 12/1993 after allegations that he had molested a child (per most accounts Bench was accused of abusing a boy, per at least one report his victim was a girl.) In 2000 he asked to be reinstated and transferred to FL. The child’s parents were consulted and strenuously objected. The bishop then denied Bench’s request. Died 6/6/2009 in FL. Included on the diocese’s list 3/29/2019.
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