Fr. William Kovach

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown PA

Accused in 1982 of molesting a boy, showing him porno movies, fondling and performing oral sex on him. Admitted the abuse to Bishop Hogan; kept in ministry, not to have contact with children. Kovach nonetheless was assigned to a parish with no enforced restrictions, even teaching children. He was evaluated in1988 but ministry was not limited until 2001. He was identified in 2/03 as one of 9 “predator” priests known to the diocese per lawsuits filed by 5 individuals against 2 other priests. The PA Attorney General’s 3/1//16 Grand Jury report concluded that “Kovach was a child predator who had been enabled by the Diocese,” citing Bishops Hogan and Adamec as keeping Kovach’s secrets. Police were never notified.


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