Ex-Ambler Priest 'Unsuitable For Ministry' Due To Abuse Claims

AMBLER, PA — A reverend who recently served at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Ambler has been found unsuitable for ministry due to allegations he sexually abused a minor, the Archdiocese announced this week.

Reverend John F. Meyers, 64, was found unsuitable for ministry based on a "substantiated allegation" of sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s, the Archdiocese said. Meyers served at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish as recently as 2017, just a year before being placed on administrative leave due to the allegations.

Meyers has served at the following parishes, schools and offices:

• Saint Michael Parish, Philadelphia (1983-1984)
• Saint Joseph Parish, Aston (19884-1985)
• Saint Gabriel Parish, Norwood (1985-1988)
• Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill (1988)
• Saint John Bosco Parish, Hatboro (1988-1990)
• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia (1990-1992)
• Saint Mark Parish, Bristol (1992-1993)
• Saint Philomena Parish, Lansdowne (1993-1997)
• Saint Dominic Parish, Philadelphia (1997-1999)
• Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Chester (1999-2000)
• Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for Bucks County (2000-2005)
• Saint Mark Parish, Bristol (2003)
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Philadelphia (2005-2011)
• Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia (2011-2017)
• Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Ambler (2017)
• Malvern Retreat House (2017-2018)
• placed on administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2018)
• found unsuitable for ministry (2019).

Additionally, the Archdiocese announced another reverend has been placed on administrative leave, and another has been found unsuitable for ministry.

Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip, 73, has been placed on administrative leave following new allegations he sexually abused a minor several decades ago. Law enforcement is now involved in the investigation, and the Archdiocese said it will cooperate fully with authorities.

Logrip served at parishes in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

Reverend Raymond W. Smart has been found unsuitable for ministry. In 2011, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received an allegation that Smart, 74, had sexually abused a minor. This allegation was referred to law enforcement and no criminal charges were filed. The review board was not able to substantiate the allegation and Smart retained his priestly faculties, according to the Archdiocese.

In the spring of 2017, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received another allegation that Father Smart had sexually abuse a minor in the early 1980s. No charges were filed but the review board has found Smart unsuitable for ministry based on a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese said.

Smart served at parishes and churches in Philadelphia, Chester, and Montgomery counties.

RELATED: 6 Disturbing Details From PA Catholic Priest Sex Abuse Report

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