Grand jury report details how Harrisburg bishops enabled child sex abusers

On Aug. 1, the Diocese of Harrisburg said that the name of every one of its bishops since 1947 would be removed from any building, facility or room in the diocese.

The diocese made that announcement as it released the names of more than 70 clergy members accused of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct with children, and as Bishop Ronald W. Gainer apologized for the abuse and the leaders who failed to respond appropriately.

“The decision to remove names of bishops and clerics may prove to be controversial, but as a bishop, I strongly believe that leaders of the diocese must hold themselves to a higher standard, and must yield honorary symbols in the interest of healing,” Gainer said.

A recently released statewide grand jury investigation reveals new details about the leadership in the Harrisburg diocese during decades of abuse.

“The Grand Jury uncovered evidence of child sexual abuse committed by priests of the Diocese of Harrisburg,” the grand jury report states. “Evidence established that priests engaged in sexual contact with minors, including grooming and fondling of genitals and/or intimate body parts, as well as penetration of the vagina, mouth, or anus.”

The report adds: “The evidence also revealed that Diocesan administrators, including bishops, had knowledge of this conduct and that priests were regularly placed in ministry after the Diocese was on notice that a complaint of child sexual abuse had been made. The Diocese’s actions enabled the offenders and endangered the welfare of children.”

Below is a look at the bishops who have led the Harrisburg diocese for decades.

George L. Leech: 1935-1971

He was born in Luzerne County, and he attended seminary at Saint Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia.

He replaced Bishop Philip McDevitt in 1935 after McDevitt’s death. Leech retired in 1971 and received the appointment of titular bishop of Allegheny.

He died in 1985.

McGinley: The grand jury report described how Leech responded to a report of abuse in 1953. Leech suspended the Rev. Anthony McGinley until he reported for an interview in the bishop’s office.

“According to a document, McGinley stated he was innocent however ‘there may have been imprudent association w/boys and that conduct w/them might be construed wrongly.’ On November 20, 1953, McGinley was was transferred to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel,” the report states.

From 1953 to 1982, there were many reports that McGinley had sexual encounters with other males, according to the report.

Joseph T. Daley: 1971-1983

He was born in Schuylkill County, and Daley was ordained into the priesthood in Philadelphia in 1941.

He had leadership roles in the Harrisburg diocese before becoming bishop in 1971.

He died in 1983.

Kujovsky: The grand jury report describes how Daley handled an allegation regarding Father Thomas Kujovsky.

The report states:

“In 1981, Bishop Joseph Daley documented a report against Father Thomas Kujovsky. Two women reported to Father Coakley that a person found magazines that contained photographs of former altar boys in the nude. The items were found by Kujovsky’s bed in the rectory. Bishop Daley discussed the nude photographs with Kujovsky. Daley noted Kujovsky expressed ‘utter surprise and absolute disbelief concerning them.’ He denied ‘absolutely that he had any sexual aberrations.’ Bishop Daley noted he did not reveal the source of the information and accepted Kujovsky’s word. The Diocese identified one of the boys that was photographed naked. However, there was no record in the file that the child was ever interviewed, nor was there any police involvement. Kujovsky stayed in ministry.”

Logue: The report described how the Rev. Robert Logue allegedly asked a 13-year-old boy to expose his genitalia.

“Bishop Joseph Daley was notified and advised Logue to contact his spiritual director, consult a psychiatrist, and resign from his orders,” the grand jury report states. “Logue agreed to contact his spiritual director and consult a psychiatrist, but Logue decided to request a leave of absence instead of resigning from his orders.”

William H. Keeler: 1983-1989

He grew up in Lebanon County, and he was appointed vice chancellor of the Harrisburg diocese in 1965 and chancellor in 1969, and later vice general. He was appointed bishop of the diocese in 1983.

Then, in 1989, he was appointed Archbishop of Baltimore. He died in 2017 at the age of 86.

In August of 2018, a former altar boy filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Harrisburg, alleging that