Former St. Dominic priest’s
ministry remains restricted

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced last week that the Rev. John Hummell’s ministry would remain restricted.
Hummell, 68, served as assistant pastor at St. Dominic’s parish for three months in 1968. In June 2006, he was removed from his post as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Chester County after allegations that he had sexually abused a student while he was a teacher at Roman Catholic High School in the 1970s were substantiated. His ministry was restricted and the archdiocese began the steps needed to remove Hummell’s clerical status and make him a lay person.
Canon lawyers subsequently found that Hummell’s behavior was considered a "grooming behavior" and did not rise to the level of a violation against its Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, according to archdiocesan spokeswoman Donna Farrell.
"The purpose of grooming in this regard is to create confusion in the mind of a young person and to deceive them about the intent of the adult," Farrell said.
"It is a manipulation of reality by the adult. It can be physical, psychological or behavioral," Farrell said.
Because Hummell’s actions didn’t meet charter guidelines, the archdiocese could not impose laicization or a supervised life of prayer and penance on Hummell, according to its news release.
Hummell is still restricted from ministry, is considered retired and is living in a private residence outside of the archdiocese.
The local bishop and civil authorities were notified of Hummell’s whereabouts. ••