Diocese of Erie’s ‘priest list’ updated again
Two lay people and one priest have been added to the Diocese of Erie’s Public Disclosure List as having been “credibly accused” of actions that bar them from working with children.
The Diocese made the announcement on Thursday, noting that the three individuals added to the list are deceased.
“All of the allegations for these names date from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s,” a statement from the Diocese indicates.
Father Raymond Balko was the priest added to the list. The allegations were reported, according to the Diocese, after his death.
The lay individuals were both former lay teachers, David Geitner, and James Hewitt.
Additionally, Msgr. Joseph Reszkowski, who is deceased, was added to the list as under investigation while a former parish volunteer, Robert Visznecki, is awaiting trial.
The Diocese also indicated that one priest and one lay person were moved from the list as “under investigation” to the list of credibly accused – Fr. Charles Schmitt and John Tome.
Thursday’s statement indicates that the list was also updated to reflect a name clarification for Charles R. ‘Rick’ Cooper and that two priests – Fr. Joseph Dombrowolski and Fr. Herger Gloekler were removed from the category of “abuse reported after death” because “new information confirms allegations had been submitted but were not on record.”
When the Grand Jury report regarding child sex abuse in the Catholic church was released in August, five names were added to the list.
¯ Former Fr. Gregory P. Furkanic, Harrisburg, laicized.
¯ Former Br. Edmundus Murphy, left ministry prior to death.
¯ Fr. Richard Lynch, deceased.
¯ Fr. Jan Olowin, retired, Phoenix, Az.
¯ Msgr. Thomas Snyderwine, retired, Erie.
“The Diocese of Erie, in collaboration with its independent investigators at the Pittsburgh-based K&L Gates law firm, will continue investigating all allegations brought forth,” Thursday’s statement said.