Joseph Keith Symons
Titular Bishop of Sigus (1981-1983) |
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Spoken style | Your Excellency | |
Religious style | Bishop |
Joseph Keith Symons (born October 14, 1932) is an American
In 1998, Symons sent a letter of resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach to Pope John Paul II after admitting he sexually abused five boys earlier in his career.
Biography
Early life
Joseph Symons was born in Champion Township, Michigan, on October 14, 1932.[1] He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph Hurley for the Diocese of St. Augustine on May 18, 1958. In 1971, Symons became chancellor of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.[2]
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Petersburg
On January 16, 1981 John Paul II appointed Symons as the titular bishop of
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
On October 4, 1983, John Paul II appointed Symons as the second bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was installed on November 8, 1983.[1]
Bishop of Palm Beach
On June 12, 1990, John Paul II appointed Symons as the second bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach. He was installed on July 31, 1990.[1] Symons served as a member of the Committee for Latin America, part of the National Council of Catholic Bishops. He also was a member of the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, Florida, which provides outreach to Hispanics.
In 1991, Symons authorized the taping of an
In 1996, a married couple charged that years earlier Symons, when serving as auxiliary bishop of St. Petersburg, had ignored their report that a diocese priest had abused their children. The couple said that Symons then tried to bribe the couple by offering to pay for therapy for their sons. Symons said he had the priest submit to a psychiatric evaluation.[2]
In April 1998, a 53 year old man informed a priest and Archbishop
Resignation and legacy
On June 2, 1998, Lynch announced that John Paul II had accepted Symons' resignation as bishop of Palm Beach and named Lynch as apostolic administrator of the diocese.[6][7] [5]Symons issued a written statement that said:[6]
As painful as it is for me and will be for others, I feel it important to make public the reason for my resignation. Early in my 40 years of priestly ministry, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with minors. Realizing the gravity of my past actions, I have in succeeding years tried to live my promises of celibacy and chastity and have immersed myself in my ministry as priest and as bishop.... I have prayed each day for these persons and their families. It is a memory with which we have lived far too long. I apologize to all whom I have hurt in any way and if, by this action, they might seek spiritual, emotional, and psychological comfort and assistance, then this painful moment for the Church and me may prove to be beneficial.
After his resignation, Symons was to be sent away for treatment and counseling.
On July 30, 1998, the
References
- ^ a b c d "Bishop Joseph Keith Symons". Catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ a b Gross, Judy. "Palm Beach Bishop Admits Sex Abuse". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Top South Florida News, Sports, Weather and Entertainment - South Florida Sun-Sentinel". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c Silk, Mark (Fall 1998). "Catholic Controversy II: Handling Pedophilia". RELIGION IN THE NEWS. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- ^ Rozsa, Lori; Witt, April (June 2, 1998), "Catholic Bishop Resigns after Admitting to Sexual Abuse of Children", Miami Herald, retrieved May 1, 2019 – via BishopAccountability