Fr. John David Crowley

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 02/25/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

First named publicly as accused in 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Complaint to the diocese in 1992 from a mother that Crowley sexually abused her and her twin daughters; one was age 16 when allegedly abused. Kept in ministry. Sent for a week evaluation at St. Michael’s Community in 9/1992; returned to same assignment. The women renewed their complaint in late 2001. In 8/2002 it was sent to the D.A.; Diocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible in 12/2002. Crowley resigned in 1/2003. Bishop Wuerl allowed him to tell the parish he was retiring early, without mentioning the reason. Ministerial faculties withdrawn 5/30/2003. Vatican confirmed 6/9/2004 that Crowley was to remain in retirement with no public ministry. He died in 2006. Another allegation in 6/2008 that he abused a boy, age 11-12, in the 1970s.


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