Fr. David A. Soderlund

Ordained: 1965
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Allentown PA

Accused 1980 of abuse of three boys, ages 12-13. Photos found of Soderlund in sex acts with boys. Admitted to ‘sexual activity’ with them. Sent to St. John Vianney for treatment. Assigned as a parish pastor in 1981, restricted to no contact with minors, sent to another parish the next year. Abused another boy. In 1986 made Director of Pastoral Care at Good Samaritan Med Center in Pottsdale. Removed 1989 for violating restrictions by having an 8-year-old altar boy and calling him on the phone. Soderlund appealed to the Vatican which agreed his rights were violated. Bishop Welsh offered him housing and income, but no job. Lawsuit against diocese in 2004. Laicized in 2005. Arrested in 2009 in WY on child pornography charges; convicted. Sentenced 2-5 years’ prison. Registered sex offender in WY. Included in the  8/14/2018 PA GJ Report and on the diocese’s 8/19/2018 list of credibly accused. Settlement in 4/2020 with man alleging abuse at age 12 in 1971. Accused in a 5/2020 lawsuit of abuse of boys in the early 1970s. Died in 2020.

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