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  Allegation Reported against Reverend William G. Ayres

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
November 22, 2010

http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr001717.htm

On Thursday of last week, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Reverend William G. Ayres, Pastor of Saint Michael Parish, and Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, both in Philadelphia. The Archdiocese reported to civil authorities this allegation, which concerns events from the mid 1990's. This is the first allegation of sexual abuse that the Archdiocese has received regarding Father Ayres.

Since 2006, Father Ayres has been Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Philadelphia. Since 2007 he has also been Pastor of Saint Michael Parish in Philadelphia. Cardinal Rigali has relieved him of his assignment pending completion of a formal investigation. Father Ayres is no longer residing at Saint Michael Parish but at Villa Saint Joseph in Darby, the home for retired priests of the Archdiocese, and he has agreed to refrain from the public exercise of his priestly ministry during the investigation.

An announcement was made this past weekend at Saint Michael Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish regarding Father Ayres. Counselors from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Victim Assistance Office were available after Masses.

Father Ayres is 39 years old. He was ordained in 1999. He has served at the following parishes and offices in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in addition to Saint Michael Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish: Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Philadelphia (1999-2002); Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Chester (2002-2003) and the Office for Pastoral Care of Migrants & Refugees (2003-2007). He also served as Coordinator of the Laotian Apostolate (2001-2003).

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes that this public notice may be painful to those who have been abused. If anyone needs assistance please contact the Victim Assistance Office for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or .

 
 

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