The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently announced that one of its priests was found unsuitable for ministry after an allegation of Catholic church sexual abuse of a minor was substantiated.

According to the announcement, Reverend William E. Dean was accused of sex abuse occurring in the late 1970s while Dean was working at Saints Philip and James Parish in Exton in Chester County in Philadelphia. The Archdiocese says that it received a report of the alleged abuse in 2014; it was able to contact the survivor, but this person “did not wish to engage in dialogue.”

Dean has not been the subject of other allegations of sexual abuse, noted the announcement. No criminal charges have been filed.

According to the Archdiocese, Dean has since been placed on “limited ministerial capacity” due to a disability and was declared legally blind in 2001. Dean has not served a parish since 2012, according to the announcement. He has resided at and been a chaplain at a retirement community for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHMs) in Chester County.

First Allegation Against Priest Who Served Over 40 years

Dean is now 70 years old, according to the announcement. He was first ordained in 1976 and acted as a priest at parishes, schools, and church offices, including:

• Saint Ann, Phoenixville (1976-1978)
• Office for Youth and Young Adults (1977-1978)
• Saints Philip and James, Exton (1978-1983)
• Saint Isaac Jogues, Wayne (1983)
• Saint Jerome, Philadelphia (1983-1986)
• Chaplain, Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, Philadelphia (1984-1986)
• Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia (1986-1991)
• Saint Patrick, Philadelphia (1991)
• Holy Angels, Philadelphia (1991-1993)
• Catholic Social Services, Family Services Division (1993-1995)
• Old Saint Mary’s Philadelphia (1993-1995)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus, Philadelphia (1995-2012)
• Chaplain, Camilla Hall (2012-2020)

According to the Archdiocese, an allegation that Dean sexually abused a minor in the late 1970s was made in 2014. The Archdiocese says that the allegation was investigated by the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations (AOI) using the canonical process. A former Deputy District Attorney led the investigation.

The 2014 investigation found that Dean had violated ministerial standards, but concluded he could stay in the ministry, if in a limited capacity with monitoring and support.

“This plan limited Father Dean’s regular priestly ministry to service at Camilla Hall and precluded his ability to leave that facility or receive visitors without advance notice as well as multiple layers of approval,” states the Archdiocese announcement.

Second Investigation Finds Priest ‘Unsuitable for Ministry’

A second claim, regarding the same allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, was registered with the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program in October of 2019.

According to the Archdiocese, the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program was created to “assist survivors of sexual abuse on their path to healing.” The program’s goals are to provide financial support to victims of clergy sexual abuse.

The Archdiocese says that, after it received word from the Chester County District Attorney’s office that there would be no criminal charges filed against Dean, another investigation was launched. This investigation concluded that the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by Dean was substantiated and Dean was deemed “unsuitable for ministry” as a result.

“The case will now be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican in keeping with procedure for the formal canonical process,” states the Archdiocese announcement. “Father Dean has been removed from his residence at Camilla Hall and the information above has been shared with its residents as well as leadership of the IHMs.”

Criticism of the Reparations Programs

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to victims of sex abuse by clergy through the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program. However, some critics say that some victims are not getting enough.

Under the terms of Catholic sex abuse reparations programs, victims who take part and receive compensation may waive their right to take further legal action. While those whose claims are time-barred under a statute of limitations may benefit from the program, those who may benefit from bringing legal action may not receive as much under the program.

The York Daily Record reported on the establishment of one of these programs in Pennsylvania in late 2018.

“If survivors participate in the program and receive compensation, they will sign a settlement agreement. They would then forgo any future rights to bring a lawsuit against the Church,” said a Church representative at the time. “It is important to remember that survivors currently do not have the right to bring a lawsuit.”

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.