Chief: Cambridge Springs Police Department investigating Father Poulson

Feb. 15--CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS -- Cambridge Springs Police Department began its investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a child by a priest at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church last week, according to police Chief Dorian Adamik.

The police department's investigation is ongoing in conjunction with the Crawford County District Attorney's Office, but it's unknown when the investigation may close, Adamik said.

"It should wrap up fairly soon, but I hesitate to put a time on it," Adamik told the Tribune on Wednesday.

The church's priest was named specifically and has been the focus of the investigation, Adamik said.

At this time, the allegations are believed to be credible and to have taken place on church property, he added.

"It apparently happened some time ago and we only know of one victim," Adamik told the Tribune. "There has been mention of possibly other victims, but no one else has come forward at this point."

On Tuesday, the Catholic Diocese of Erie announced Father David L. Poulson, 64, had resigned as pastor after the diocese said it received what it believed to be credible allegations against Poulson regarding the sexual abuse of children.

Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie has removed Poulson from all other assignments and has prohibited Poulson from any public ministry and from any contact with children. Poulson was serving as chaplain at the State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs, a Pennsylvania-run women's prison; bishop's delegate for Mass in the Extraordinary Form; diocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal; and diocesan chaplain for the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Anyone with knowledge of the alleged Cambridge Springs incident or other similar incidents is asked to contact the Cambridge Spring Police Department at 398-4112 or the Crawford County District Attorney's Office at 333-7455.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.

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