A parishioner Celebrate Communion at the Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick in Harrisburg, Pa., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, three days after the release of an extensive report detailing sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests throughout Pennsylvania.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
A parishioner Celebrate Communion at the Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick in Harrisburg, Pa., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, three days after the release of an extensive report detailing sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests throughout Pennsylvania.
(York) — A former Roman Catholic priest in Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty to assaulting two altar boys about two decades ago has been sentenced to five years’ probation.
John G. Allen, 77, of York had pleaded guilty in November to indecent assault and corruption of minors in the assaults at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church in Penbrook between 1997 and 2002. He acknowledged having touched the children over their clothes.
The York Daily Record reports that the probation sentence was imposed Tuesday as part of a plea agreement and fell within sentencing guidelines. Allen will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
“I just want to plead guilty, your honor,” Allen said via video conference. “I accept responsibility.”
Allen was removed from the priesthood in 2006 and was among the priests listed in a 2018 investigating grand jury report about sexual abuse. He had worked in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Snyder counties.
Defense attorney Brian Perry said his client “is sorry for his actions.”
“He hopes that people can find forgiveness in their hearts,” Perry said.
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