Fr. Thomas E. Smith

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 02/6/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Erie PA

Included in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Bishop Murphy knew of an allegation of abuse in 1984 of a 17-year-old boy. Health Leave 2/1984-10/1984. Residential treatment 3/1985 – 8/1985. Treated 12/1986-4/1987 at Ecclesia Center in Girard, then St. Luke’s INstitute in MD until 11/30/1987. Facility said he had “driven, compulsive, and long standing obsession with sexually assaulting children” and that the sexual assaults continued after his first treatment in 1984. Admitted in treatment to abuse, including rape, of at least 15 boys, as young as age 7. Returned to parish ministry. Active in a ministry program for Catholic children. Report to the Diocese in 9/1993 of abuse of a 9-year-old boy. Suspended in 2002 after report of abuse 1968-1970 of a boy, ages 10-12. Settlement (less than $100,000) reached in early 2002. Criminal charges filed in 3/2008; dropped due to statute of limitations. Laicized in 2006. Per the Diocese’s list in 1/2023, Smith died in 2/2021.

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