How long are we going to have to deal with these “revelations” dribbling out of the various religious orders or diocese across the country. It seems that there is no end to new reports of past abuse. At some point, can we actually get a District Attorney, Commonwealth Attorney or a Federal Prosecutor to start a comprehensive review of what was known by the religious orders and diocese?
An article in the Scranton Times-Tribune and a notice from the President of the University of Scranton have revealed yet another predator priest who once operated in the Diocese of Scranton at a number of churches and at the University of Scranton.
The text of the announcement of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) reads:
An Announcement from the Maryland Province
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus is seeking information about possible abuse of minors by one of its members, Neil McLaughlin, S.J., during his ministry in Scranton, Pa. This inquiry results from recent information about possible victims in the Scranton area and a credible allegation from an adult female who contacted the Jesuits in 2008 regarding an abusive incident she suffered as a young girl in Scranton in 1963. People who believe that they are victims of abuse by McLaughlin should contact their local civil authorities and then call the Maryland Province Jesuits at 443-921-1326.
When the allegation was made in 2008, McLaughlin had already been removed from ministry by the Province. That action was taken in 2006 when the Province re-examined an allegation that had been made against McLaughlin in 1990 and recognized the steps taken at that time were inadequate under the policies adopted in 2004 with regard to allegations of abuse against members.
Today McLaughlin resides in a Jesuit community where he has limited access to members of the public and his actions are monitored. He has disclosed that there may be other victims of similar sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Scranton.
The Province is informing all of the dioceses and institutions where McLaughlin served to alert the Catholic public about these reports. The locations where McLaughlin was in ministry follow:
1953-1954. Prior to ordination, while a Jesuit scholastic, he taught at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia.
1954-1956. He taught at Loyola Blakefield High School in Baltimore.
1959. He was ordained to the priesthood.
1961-1983 and 1985-1986. He taught at Scranton Preparatory School.
1964-1965. He resided in and assisted at St. Paul of the Apostle Parish, Highland Park, N.J.
1965-1983. He worked part-time as a chaplain at Georgetown University Hospital during the summer.
1971-1995. He celebrated weekend masses at St John Bosco Church, Conyngham, PA.
1985-1986. He served as the Assistant Director of Campus Ministries at The University of Scranton.
1985-2006. He held various administrative jobs with the Alumni Association at The University of Scranton, including Alumni Chaplain from 2002-2006.
1990’s. He celebrated weekend masses at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Scranton.
1996-2006. He ministered part-time at St. Thomas More Church, Lake Ariel, PA.
The President of the University of Scranton issued a statement to the University Community on the University’s website
11/30/10
Members of the University Community,
The University has been informed that the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus is seeking information about possible abuse of minors by one of its members, Neil McLaughlin, S.J., during his ministry in Scranton, Pa. We have been told that this inquiry results from recent information about possible victims in the Scranton area and a credible allegation from an adult female who contacted the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus in 2008 regarding an abusive incident she suffered as a young girl in Scranton in 1963.
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus and the Diocese of Scranton are working together to ensure that communication is made to all the parishes and institutions where Neil McLaughlin served. Notice of this situation will be posted in The Catholic Light, the newspaper of the Diocese of Scranton, and in parish bulletins throughout the Diocese. I am writing to the University community and posting this information to the University’s website in order to share the information that we have received. The Province is asking people who believe that they were victims of abuse by Neil McLaughlin to contact their local civil authorities and then call the Maryland Province at 443-921-1326.
I ask you to join me in praying for all those who may have been affected.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 
This will never happen as long as the Pa Legislature refuses to get off thier asses and open a window for the victims !
Michael,
Here’s a link to an article written by Mark Guydish in The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, PA
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Possible_victims_of_priest_sought_12-01-2010.html?searchterm=Neil+McLaughlin
Now for me, the surprise came, not so much that another predator priest was uncovered in the Diocese of Scranton, but by the
statement at the end of the article by Maureen Locher (Special Case Coordinator) from the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus that the Jesuits are
not TECHNICALLY bound by the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” since they are not diocesan priests.
This is unthinkable and inexcusable in my book. So, does this mean that all the priests, monks, etc. who belong to a religious order and aren’t diocesan
priests can simply ignore the abuse of children and any predation in their ranks and not report abuse? It was, as stated in the article, the Diocese of
Scranton who reviewed McLaughlin’s record and asked the Maryland Province to review the other Jesuits in the Diocese.
From the Diocese of Scranton website comes this notice
http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/News/NeilMclaughlin,SJNovember30,2010.asp
in which the Diocese says if you are a victim of this priest you should contact local law enforcement authorities.