“Priest guilty of improper relationship” and comments

A suspended northwestern Pennsylvania priest who studied in East Aurora was convicted Wednesday evening of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy.

A McKean County Court jury of 10 women and two men handed up their verdict about 6:30 p.m. in Smethport, Pa., following a three-day trial and eight hours of deliberations.

Rev. Samuel Slocum, 60, a Smethport native who studied for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, was acquitted of a felony count of interference with the custody of a child and a misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at night.

The Catholic Diocese of Erie suspended Slocum from duties at two rural churches after the charges were filed last April, and Bishop Donald Trautman, formerly of Buffalo, issued a public statement saying the charges were “devastating, if true.”

Slocum was a priest in the Diocese of Erie for more than 30 years.

As the trial got under way Monday, he was portrayed as either a caring mentor who just tried to bond with boys and be “one of the guys,” or as a man who deliberately interfered with the role of the boy’s mother in the teen’s life.

Defense attorney David Ridge told jurors the case was about whether “Father Slocum should have used better judgment.”

McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn, who prosecuted the case, told the jury Slocum’s conduct from January to March of last year was criminal.

Slocum was not accused of having a sexual relationship with the boy, who testified Monday that he and his brother and other friends often visited Slocum at the rectory at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Lewis Run, Pa.

The boy’s mother testified Monday and said her son lied to her at Slocum’s urging.

Slocum faces a possible prison term when he is sentenced next month.

mgryta@buffnews.com

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Comments

First and foremost, I am very upset when the media runs with stories without getting all the facts in a story. They all want to be first in reporting anything that they feel is going to be controversial. As it is reported, it is only an accusation and nothing else, if there were anymore it would be reported, therefore, why make such a big story all over the news and networks. That is enough to destroy an innocent person and strip away his great reputation in the community and those that believe in him. That is not justice. Rev. Secondo Casarotto has given his youth and most of his life to serve his God. I am not to judge whether there is truth or not to the accusations, but I would say that the damage has been done to this priest even if it is found later on that the accusations were false. The media should refrain from reporting this type of news without gathering all the facts first. I take the positon that Rev. Secondo Casarotto is innocent due to the accuser waiting 2 years to report the alleged incident and furthermore, why attorneys from Florida ?. We have some of the best attorneys in the area, so why 2 years later and a Florida firm. I smell a Rat while she may be smelling $$$$$$$$$$ ! May God Bless the innocent….. and forgive the guilty….. God will be the judge and no one else !!!!!

CHARLES GANGAROSSA, WEST SENECA, NY on Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 06:31 PM

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Shame on you Mary. Obviously you feel wiser than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Priest himself admitted he did the things he was accused of, but it is ok because he did not mean to hurt anyon0e. He just couldn’t stay away from the 14 year old boy. Any red flags there? And for the record I listened to his 4 hour testimony to the PA State Police so I know as to what I speak.

MICHELLE CHAPMAN, BRADFORD, NY on Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 02:55 PM

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Its time to take a look at the Catholic Church. Is it a harbor for the protection of social misfits?
The Church can’t shuffle these misfits around and get away with breaking its own Commandments or can it? Is the Church on Earth above the Laws of the Church in heaven?

PHILIP JAMES JAROSZ, BUFFALO, NY on Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 02:32 PM

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Lets hope that anyone, who has witnessed suspected or may have been harmed by Fr Samuel Slocum, will find the courage and strength to speak up, and contact law enforcement. Keeping silent only hurts and does not protect others.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
“Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests” and all clergy.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/

These stories are all false! Something “smells” funny with all of them right?

Why does this keep happening people? I agree it “smells” funny but it is not funny anymore. There is a definite pattern here developing.

Bottom line dont let your kids hang out with priests. Maybe even ask yourselves why you are hanging out with them as well on Sunday or any other day. Dont give them your time and money either. If you feel the need to worship, what is wrong with that if you stay home with your bible and skip the donation tray? Interpret the book on your own. You dont need a story teller or a pervert to do it for you do you?

RICK GRASER, CHEEKTOWAGA, NY on Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM

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