Msgr. Thomas Kujovsky – Diocese of Harrisburg
Ordained: 1957
Died: 2015
Assigned as follows:
- Immaculate Conception BVM (Berwick, PA)
- St. Columba (Bloomsburg, PA)
- Our Lady of Mercy (Catawissa, PA)
- Corpus Christi (Chambersburg, PA)
- St. Peter (Elizabethtown, PA)
- St. Catherine Laboure (Harrisburg, PA)
- Holy Angels (Kulpmont, PA)
- St. Anne (Lancaster, PA)
- Divine Redeemer (Mount Carmel, PA)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Mount Carmel, PA)
- St. Joseph (York, PA)
Our investigation has also revealed that Kujovsky also worked at Holy Spirit School in Mount Carmel, as well as in the Diocesan Archives.
Summary of Allegations Against Msgr. Thomas Kujovsky:
According to the 2018 grand jury report, Kujovsky was the subject of an allegation of possessing child pornography in 1981 while he was assigned to Immaculate Conception BVM in Berwick. Two female parishioners reported that another unnamed person found magazines by Kujvosky’s bed that were hiding photographs of several former altar boys in the nude. Kujvosky denied the allegations when confronted by Bishop Daley, also claiming that he had absolutely no “sexual aberrations.” The Diocese was able to identify one of the boys in the photographs, but there is no indication that he or his family were ever interviewed about the matter, nor is there any information that law enforcement was made aware of the photographs.
In a later letter contained in his personnel file, Kujovsky made a passing reference to “false charges leveled against him in August of 1990,” referring to a second allegation. This time, he was apparently sent for a psychological evaluation. Inexplicably, the allegation was later recanted by Kujovsky’s accuser – though it is not entirely clear from the grand jury report if the allegation related to child pornography or physical sexual abuse of a child. At any rate, the accuser claimed he made the allegation up for money and Kujovsky was returned to full faculties as a retired priest. There is no indication the Diocese did any investigation to determine if the accuser was threatened or in any way coerced to recant his allegation, despite the fact that it was highly unusual for an alleged victim to do so.
Kujovsky was also identified on the list of accused priests disseminated by the Diocese of Harrisburg in August 2018. All the Diocese of Harrisburg has stated is that he possessed a photograph of a nude altar boy in his room in one incident. In the other incident, a book of animated cartoons depicting child sexual abuse was discovered. Both items were turned over to the District Attorney (again, at a time that was not disclosed so it is impossible to tell if the disclosure was immediate or decades later).
Kujovsky was never charged with any crimes. There are no public allegations that he touched a child in an inappropriate manner at this time.
Kujovsky died in 2015 as a priest in good standing.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Harrisburg filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Harrisburg may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Harrisburg if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.