Fr. Raymond R. Rhoden
First named publicly as accused in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. In 2002 the diocese received a report that Rhoden sexually abused a 16- to 17-year-old boy in 1976-1977. Rhoden had been a family friend. The boy’s parents said they told Bishop McDowell about the abuse years before and he said he would “take care of [it].” Rhoden admitted to the abuse. He would go into the boy’s room after the boy had gone to bed, massage his back, fondle his genitals and perform oral sex on him. Rhoden was placed on leave 5/17/2002 and sent to St. Luke Institute for an evaluation. He withdrew from ministry 7/5/2002 and retired to Sarasota, FL. He died 11/4/2006 at age 56. Lawsuit announced 11/2018. Another suit 1/2019 alleged abuse of a 5th-grade boy 1978-1980. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
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