Rev. Michael G. Murtha

Summary of Case: Murtha was found by another priest to have sadomasochistic pornography in his bedroom, including images of violent sex acts against children. Also found was a sexually explicit "love letter" written by Murtha to a seventh grade boy. The fellow priest reported his find to archdiocesan officials. Murtha admitted the materials were his, and was sent to treatment. Secretary of Clergy, Msgr. William Lynn, is said to have agreed with Murtha to tell parishioners Murtha was being hospitalized for high blood pressure and weight control. Murtha was kept in ministry until at least 2008.

Ordained: 1993
Incardinated: Philadelphia

1993

Philadelphia archbishop was Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua (1987-2003)

Philadelphia

• Another priest at St. Anselm's, Rev. Joseph Okonski, found pornography in Murtha's bedroom in 1995, which included images of violent sex acts against children. Also found was a sexually explicit "love letter" that Murtha had written to a seventh grade boy. Murtha later admitted the pornography and letter were his.

St. Anselm's had a school with 1,125-1,031 students.

Okonski reported his find to the parish pastor, who reportedly did nothing. He then went to archdiocesan officials. Murtha was sent to St. John Vianney center for a psychological evaluation and treatment . Secretary of clergy for the archdiocese, Msgr. William Lynn, is said to have told Murtha he did not "condone" Okonski's behavior in reporting Murtha. Also, Lynn and Murtha are said to have agreed that parishioners would be told Murtha was being hospitalized for high blood pressure and weight control.

2002

Bevilacqua was succeeded by Justin Francis Rigali (2003-2011)

Sources: Official Catholic Directory (New York: P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 1994-2008)

• Plan by Archdiocese to Protect Priests Alleged in Motion, By John P. Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 29, 2011
• Judge Hears Explicit Allegations in Priest Sex-abuse Case, By John P. Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer, January 23, 2012
• Did Catholic Official's 'Willful Blindness' Open More Kids to Abuse?, By Mensah M. Dean, Philadelphia Daily News, January 24, 2012
• Damaging Evidence Presented in Clergy Sex Abuse Trial, By Tony Hanson, CBS Philly, March 28, 2012
• Archdiocese Priest Writes Love Letter to Seventh-Grade Boy, By Ralph Cipriano, Philadelphia Priest Abuse Trial Blog, March 28, 2012
• Priest's S&m Vid Fetish Kept Secret from Pastor, By John P. Martin & Joseph A. Slobodzian, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 29, 2012

Priests in a Parish: We use the following convention to show a priest's place among the clergy of a parish: 1/2 means that he is the first priest listed in the Official Catholic Directory (usually the pastor) and that there is a total of two priests at the parish. The shorthand 3/4 means that the priest is listed third on a four-priest roster. See our sample page from the Directory.

Note: The Official Catholic Directory aims to report the whereabouts of Catholic priests in the United States on January 1 of the Directory's publication year. Our working assumption is that a priest listed in the Directory for a given year was at the same assignment for part of the previous year as well. However, Kenedy and Sons will sometimes accept updates well into the year of publication. Diocesan clergy records are rarely available to correct this information. The Directory is also sometimes misleading or wrong. We have tried to create an accurate assignment record, given the source materials and their limitations. Assignment records are a work in progress and we are always improving the records that we post. Please email us with new information and corrections.

This assignment record collates Murtha's career history as it is represented in the Official Catholic Directory with allegations as reported in the media. We make no representation regarding the truth of the allegation we report, and we remind our readers that the U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.

This assignment record was last updated on April 19, 2012