Father John Meyers
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1983
Suspended: 2018
Found unsuitable for ministry: 2019
Assigned as follows:
- Saint Michael Parish, Philadelphia (1983-1984)
- Saint Joseph Parish, Aston (1984-1985)
- 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)
- Administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2018)
- Found unsuitable for ministry (2019)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John F. Meyers:
Father John Meyers was ordained a priest in 1983 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, in 2018, he was removed from his position at the Malvern Retreat house following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor child. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has provided the public with very little information about the allegation, except to say that the misconduct allegedly occurred in the early 1980s. His exact assignment, and additional details such as the age/gender of the victim, have not been provided.
In January 2019, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that its internal review board had completed its investigation into the allegations and determined that the allegation was “credible and substantiated.” Therefore, in accordance with its internal policies, Meyers was permanently removed from ministry and his faculties revoked. According to media reports, his case is now being considered for laicization (removal from the priesthood) by the Vatican.
Meyers was last assigned to the Malvern Retreat House, where other accused priests have also been working in recent years. In late 2018, a video was posted online of him celebrating mass surrounded by children, despite an edict from the Archbishop that he not work with children while his case was being investigated.
According to media reports, In April 2019, an Internet watchdog group found Meyers working at a charter school in Arizona. He has since been terminated, according to his former employer, Rose Management. Company officials have refused to say if they knew of Meyers’ history of abuse allegations before he was hired or not.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.