Two priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Msgrs. George J. Mazzotta and Hugh P. Campbell, have been found unsuitable for ministry, the Archdiocese announced Sunday, May 20.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced on May 4 resolutions to eight of the 26 cases of priests on administrative leave as a result of the February 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report. The announcement regarding both priests is not connected to those cases.
An allegation against Msgr. Mazzotta for sexually abusing a minor was substantiated, leading Archbishop Chaput to determine the priest unsuitable for ministry.
Since May 2010 when the Archdiocese received the allegation and reported it to law enforcement, Msgr. Mazzotta has not been permitted to exercise his public ministry, wear clerical garb, or present himself publicly as a priest.
Following the Archbishop’s determination, Msgr. Mazzotta has agreed to accept a supervised life of prayer and penance, according to a statement by the Archdiocese.
Parishioners at Stella Maris in South Philadelphia and St. Madeline in Ridley Park, Msgr. Mazzotta’s two most recent parish assignments, were informed of the determination at Masses May 19-20.
Msgr. Mazzotta, 73, was ordained in 1966. He served at the following parishes and schools: St. Joseph, Downingtown (1966-1971); Epiphany of Our Lord and St. Maria Goretti High School (1971-1976), Philadelphia; St. Gabriel, Philadelphia (1976-1978); St. Clement, Philadelphia (1978-1980); St. Eugene, Primos (1980-1985); St. Paul, Norristown (1985-1988); SS. Cosmas and Damian, Conshohocken (June 1988 – November 1988); St. Robert Bellarmine, Warrington (1988-1990); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (1990-1997); St. Madeline, Ridley Park (1997-2008); Stella Maris, Philadelphia (2008-2010).
Msgr. Campbell, 77 and retired since 2007, has also been found not suitable for ministry. He reported in December 2011 that he had sexually abused a minor, and was placed on administrative leave at that time.
Since then he has not been permitted to exercise his public ministry, wear clerical garb, or present himself publicly as a priest. His self-report was forwarded to law enforcement.
Following Archbishop Chaput’s determination of unsuitability for ministry, Msgr. Campbell has also accepted a supervised life of prayer and penance, according to a statement by the Archdiocese.
Last weekend members of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in West Chester, of which Msgr. Campbell is pastor emeritus, learned of the determination.
Ordained in 1961, Msgr. Campbell served at the following parishes and schools: Nativity B.V.M., Media (1961-1966); St. Agnes, West Chester (1966-1968); Newman Chaplain at West Chester University (1968-1986); Newman Chaplain at Chester County Hospital School of Nursing (1968-1986); Newman Chaplain at Cheyney University (1971-1986); St. Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester (1986-2007).
The Archdiocese encouraged anyone wishing to report an allegation of sexual abuse to contact local law enforcement and/or the archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-800-932-0313.
For victims of sexual violence who may need support or assistance, victim services are available through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@adphila.org.
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So why are these guys not in jail??
I agree?? Why are they not in jail?? Father Campbell married me, and my wife back in 1988, and its disgusting what this guy did??? I’m tired of priest abusing little children, and all they receive for a punishment is life of prayer, and penance?? Something is majorly wrong with the system we have??? I don’t know how people can go to church/mass, and feel good about themselves, because the institution is just as guilty as the priest committing the crimes, because they knew it was a problem for years, and did nothing about it, meanwhile little children were being abused??
Will someone in the archdiocesan hierarchy please explain to Philadelphia parishioners, their families and children why everyone is NOT notified about the details of these allegations AT THE TIME a prist is removed administratively from the parish? Over the course of time, while an investigation and review is conduct into the allegations of abuse, hundreds of children and young adults Iand, of course, their parents and grandparents) are unaware of the danger that may exist within their church community.