Father Thomas Grumm
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1975
Suspended from ministry: 2002
Inpatient treatment: 1992, 2002-2003
Permanently restricted: 2004
Assigned as follows:
- 1975-1977: St. Patrick (Norristown, PA)
- 1977: St. Martin of Tours (New Hope, PA)
- 1977-1987: Cardinal Dougherty High School (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1977-1979: Visitation B.V.M. (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1979-1981: St. George (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1981-1985: St. Joan of Arc (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1985-1987: Nativity B.V.M. (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1987-1990: Archbishop Kennedy High School
- 1987-1988: St. Justin Martyr (Narberth, PA)
- 1988-2002: St. John the Baptist (Philadelphia, PA)
- 1990-2002: Cardinal Dougherty High School (Philadelphia, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Thomas Grumm:
In March 2002, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received a report that Father Thomas Grumm molested a male student from Cardinal Dougherty High School. The abuse began in 1986 and carried over into Grumm’s assignment at Archbishop Kennedy High School. It ended in 1988.
Grumm was confronted with the allegations and, while the Philadelphia 2005 Grand Jury Report is not clear as to whether he admitted to them or not, the next steps taken were consistent with the modus operandi of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia when a priest did so. He was sent to St. John Vianney, a notorious treatment facility for pedophile priests in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, for an evaluation and treatment. After his discharge in November 2002, Grumm relocated to Minnesota.
It appears from information on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s website that this was not the first time that Grumm was required to undergo a psychological evaluation and treatment. In 1992, he was sent to Guest House, another notorious treatment facility that evaluated pedophile priests, located in Michigan. Guest House was often used by Church leaders to treat abusive priests who often had chemical dependency issues, with the idea that if the priest treated his drinking problem, he would not abuse children anymore. There is no information in the grand jury report that informs us to the reason for the 1992 referral, but our experience tells us it may have been related to a report of sexual abuse of minors. Of course, we cannot say that with certainty until we see Grumm’s personnel files.
In mid-2004, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s internal review board determined that the 2002 allegation was “substantiated,” meaning that they believed the accuser, and Grumm’s faculties were restricted.
A few months later, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia further restricted the faculties of several priests who were credibly accused of abuse, including Grumm. At that time, he was given the option of seeking a voluntary laicization (removal from the priesthood) or agreeing to a permanent live of “supervised prayer and penance” as a non-practicing priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Grumm agreed to a supervised life of prayer and penance and now resides at Villa St. John with other credibly accused priests. The extent of his daily supervision is not known.
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.