Fr. Thomas F. DeVita
Ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Confessed publicly in 1998 to a “sexual relationship” with a 16-year-old boy in New York in 1978. The boy’s mother had confronted him in 1978. She told Auxiliary Bishop G. Ryan in 1984 and he promised intervention. The mother learned that DeVita was still active in 1993 and again went to the Diocese, which paid a $50K settlement to the victim the same year. DeVita was sent to treatment and then assigned for 14 months in the Diocese of Venice, FL and then for 5 months in the Diocese of Palm Beach. Dismissed from both dioceses due to the NY allegations and behavior in FL. Accepted into the Diocese of Kalamazoo in 1995 by Bishop Markewicz, who was aware of the allegations. Incardinated into Kalamazoo in 8/1999. Suspended from public ministry in 2002 after the Dallas Bishops’ Conference. DeVita appealed to the Vatican and was allowed reinstatement in 2003; not granted by diocese. Died 12/13/2013.
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