Former Cherry Hill priest leaves ministry in response to sex abuse allegation
Father John Bohrer, a former priest at Saint Pius X Parish in Cherry Hill, asked to be removed from the ministry upon his retirement due to the allegation, which was originally reported in 2002.
A Catholic priest who formerly served in Cherry Hill has left the ministry due to a previous sexual abuse accusation.
According to a statement from the Diocese of Camden, Father John Bohrer, most recently an administrator at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish and formerly a priest at Saint Pius X Parish in Cherry Hill, asked to be removed from the ministry due to the allegation in addition to retiring for health reasons. The removal took effect on Dec. 31.
According to the statement from the diocese, the accusation against Bohrer dates back to the mid-1980’s during his time as a priest at Saint Pius X in Cherry Hill. The allegation was reported to the diocese in October 2002. The diocese says it reported the allegation to law enforcement. The criminal statue of limitations had expired by that time.
Bohrer was removed from the ministry shortly after the allegation was reported. The allegation was investigated by the diocese and reviewed by the Vatican, but the diocese said in its statement, “the allegation did not meet the bar for permanent removal from the priesthood.”
Bohrer returned to the ministry in 2009 and served as administrator at Saint Teresa of Calcutta for eight years without incident.
The diocese said the accusation came to light again during an independent review of its personnel files as it prepares to release the names of all credibly accused priests in the diocese. Bohrer resigned his position in accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s “Charter for the Protection of Young People” and the diocese’s zero tolerance policy.
Anyone who has suffered abuse is encouraged to report it to law enforcement. Individuals can call the diocese’s toll-free number at (1–800) 964–6588 to facilitate reporting.
