Philadelphia archdiocese looking into sexual harassment claims at seminary

The claims are related to a blog post that also implicated St. John's Seminary in Boston, which the Archdiocese of Boston also is investigating.  

Like the Boston case, the claims originated on social media, and are linked to a blog post that describes seminarians at a "conservative seminary" drinking heavily, "cuddling" after a drunken party, and being involved in sexual behaviors and acts. The person who wrote the blog says he experienced sexual harassment at the Philadelphia seminary and later witnessed the other behavior in the Boston seminary.

The story says that the writer of the blog was 17 when the alleged abuse in Philadelphia occurred, which is described as "sexually inappropriate advances by a fellow student" in a dorm room.

The Inquirer reported that archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin said Aug. 16 that the seminary "recently became aware of allegations of sexual harassment by one seminarian of another that is purported to have occurred during the 2010-2011 academic year."

"In keeping with the long-term policy of the seminary and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia," he said, "this allegation was turned over the archdiocesan Office of Investigations for appropriate handling in light of policy and applicable law. As it is an active investigation, we are not able to comment upon it further."

In his letter to archdiocesan clergy, Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of the seminary, said St. Charles has a longtime policy "against sexual violence, harassment and stalking." It was last updated in 2015.

All seminarians are required to review the policy at orientation and to sign a form acknowledging they received it, Senior wrote.

He also noted that among the 170 seminarians about to begin the fall term at St. Charles, 50 will be new seminarians studying for the Philadelphia Archdiocese and other dioceses and religious orders of priests.

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Contributing to this report was Matthew Gambino, director and general manager of CatholicPhilly.com, the news website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.