SCRANTON, Pa. — Father John Ruth of the Diocese of Scranton has been suspended and removed from his ministry.
According to the Diocese, an internal investigation revealed Ruth had inappropriate sexual relations with a minor in the late 1970s and mid-1980s.
It's at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Susquehanna that Father John Ruth last served. It was while he was at the church that the Diocese of Scranton removed him from his ministry on Wednesday.
While the Diocese has not released where Ruth worked when he allegedly assaulted the minor, Ruth served in 12 churches throughout his time in the Diocese.
Although the church's names have changed over the years, the three in Scranton were Saint Patrick’s Parish, Saint John Neumann Parish, and Saint Mary of the Assumption and Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
According to the Diocese of Scranton website, Ruth now joins 74 other clergymen, 13 members of religious orders, and six laity who have all been accused of sexual assault against minors.
In 2019, the diocese launched the Independent Survivors’ Compensation Program, which provided more than 24 million dollars to 213 victims of abuse.
While no formal criminal charges have been filed against John Ruth, the Diocese says it will cooperate fully with any law enforcement investigation.