Canton priest barred from ministry

Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., of the Diocese of Youngstown has placed Rev. Thomas Crum on Administrative Leave as a result of a newly reported and credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 years ago when Father Crum was on the faculty at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown. The allegation was immediately reported to civil authorities. Subsequently, Father Crum admitted to the allegation to Church authorities.

Father Crum, who was pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Canton, has resigned effective immediately. He cannot publicly celebrate the sacraments, wear clerical attire or present himself as a priest in good standing.

The Rev. John Jerek, spokesman for the diocese. He said the bishop met with “the person who’d been abused.” He would not give more information about whether the person was a man or a woman, or whether the person had been a student at Mooney. He also said that he couldn’t confirm if the episode even took place at Mooney. He said he didn’t want to comment too much, citing an ongoing investigation by Youngstown police. No charges have been filed yet.

Father Crum admitted the allegation to church authorities and resigned immediately as pastor of Our Lady of Peace parish, the diocese said.

“He cannot publicly celebrate the sacraments, wear clerical attire or present himself as a priest in good standing,” the diocese said in a prepared statement.

Father Jerek said Father Crum is still a priest, but he could be defrocked later as the investigation continues.

The Rev. Lewis Gaetano has replaced Father Crum in Canton as a temporary administrator, Father Jerek said.

Father Crum has moved out of the parish house and is in a psychological treatment center, he said.

Click on the headline to read the story in the Youngstown Vindicator

Read the news release from the Youngstown Diocese website.