Archdiocese of Philadelphia places priest on administrative leave, two others unsuitable

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A priest with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been placed on administrative leave, while two others have been deemed unsuitable for ministry.

According to officials with the Archdiocese, Reverend Monsignor Joseph Logrip, 73, has been placed on administrative leave after accusations he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s.

Church officials deemed the allegation was a new one and referred the matter to law enforcement. The Archdiocese states they will cooperate fully with investigators.

Monsignor Logrip faced a prior allegation of sexual abuse and was placed on administrative leave in 2011. The matter was turned over to law enforcement. Law enforcement declined to press charges. It was at that time a required church investigation took place.

Monsignor Logrip was deemed suitable for ministry in 2014, after an investigation found a claim of sexual abuse of a minor to be unsubstantiated.

As a result of the latest allegation, Monsignor Logrip will be unable to present himself as a priest publicly or be present in parishes or schools.

The Archdiocese pf Philadelphia placed Reverend John Meyers, 64, on administrative leave in late 2018 after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1980s.

Church officials say the allegation is a first for Reverend Meyers. After the matter was turned over to law enforcement and they declined to press charges, the church investigation took place. The church officials determined Reverend Meyers unsuitable for ministry and the matter will be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican.

The Archdiocese also determined that Reverend Raymond W. Smart, 74, is unsuitable for ministry after a 2017 allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was substantiated. Reverend Smart has not served in a parish or school since 1995, due to poor health. The matter will be now be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican.