By AP/KWMU
Philadelphia, Pa. – A report released Wednesday by a grand jury in Philadelphia includes allegations of sexual abuse by a St. Louis priest.
Joseph Monahan is listed in a report that details widespread abuse and cover-ups in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Monahan is accused of abuse 35 years ago, when he was a priest in Philadelphia.
He has since served at St. John the Baptist and St. Raphael in St. Louis; St. David in Arnold; Immacolata, Little Flower and St. Luke in Richmond Heights; and Holy Infant in Ballwin.
Monahan is now in poor health and on administrative leave in St. Louis.
But none of the 63 priests listed in the report will face criminal charges because of that state's statute of limitations law.
The panel first convened more than three years ago. Its report charges that Roman Catholic church leaders "endangered and harmed children" in local schools and parishes by sheltering or transferring the "known abusers."
Philadelphia's district attorney says "clear evidence" shows the scandal reaches "the very top" of the archdiocese. But regrettably, she says, the abusers and those who protected them "will never face the penalties they deserve."
A statement from the St. Louis Archdiocese notes the report is the only allegation of abuse against Monahan during his 43 years in the priesthood. "[Monahan] will reside in a monitored environment suitable for his healthcare needs," the statement concluded