Posted December 3, 2012

Msgr. Joseph C. McLoone has been named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

Parishioners of St. Joseph’s were informed of the appointment at weekend Masses Dec. 1-2.

Msgr. McLoone had been serving as parochial administrator since February 2011 since the parish’s pastor, Msgr. William J. Lynn, was placed on leave after he was arrested for his involvement as an administrator in the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Philadelphia.

Msgr. Lynn was convicted last June on one count of endangering the welfare of a child and sentenced in July to Waymart state prison in Northeast Pennsylvania, where Archbishop Chaput recently visited him. The former pastor, who is serving a three to six year sentence, asked the archbishop to accept his resignation and said he was grateful to God for having served as pastor, according to a letter by the archbishop.

Msgr. McLoone begins his pastorate of the growing Chester County parish as it completes work on a new and larger church set for completion next June, and as the Catholic Church starts a new liturgical year at Advent, which began last Sunday.

— Matthew Gambino