The Philadelphia Archdioscese announced the removal of a priest who served in several Philadelphia area churches including Norristown and Warrington due to sexual abuse allegations.
John H. Mulholland has been under restrictions since a 2005 allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor, according to the release. The allegation was found to be substantiated since then.
Text of the press release:
The Holy See has notified the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that th request of John H. Mulholland to be removed from the clerical state was granted. In 2005, an allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor by John Mulholland was reported to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and his ministry was restricted. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia investigated the allegation, which was subsequently substantiated, and he sought removal from the clerical state.
John Mulholland functioned as a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from May 1965 to September 2005, during which time he served in the following parishes: Saint Patrick, Kennett Square; Saint Joseph, Warrington; Saint Anastasia, Newtown Square; Blessed Virgin Mary, Darby; Holy Child, Philadelphia (closed 1993); Stella Maris, Philadelphia; Saint Francis of Assisi, Norristown; Immaculate Conception, Levittown; and Saint Dominic, Philadelphia. He also served as Chaplain, Immaculate Mary Home, Philadelphia.
Removal from the clerical state means that, in accord with canon law, John Mulholland is no longer incardinated in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and he is unable to function as a priest anywhere.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes that this public notice may be painful to those who have been abused. If anyone needs assistance
