The Diocese of Allentown thanks Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams for his swift action to investigate the allegation against Father David Gillis, a priest who has been in ministry in Florida for the past 13 years.
Upon receiving the allegation in late August, Bishop Alfred Schlert immediately removed Father Gillis from ministry and the Diocese notified law enforcement. The Diocese of Allentown cooperated fully with the District Attorney and did not issue a news release at his request.
These actions are consistent with the Diocese’s Zero-Tolerance Policy, under which is priest is immediately removed from ministry pending an investigation, law enforcement is immediately notified, and the Diocese addresses the matter with transparency in cooperation with law enforcement.
Father Gillis moved to Florida in 2005, but officially remains a priest of the Diocese of Allentown. The allegation involved Father Gillis’s time in Berks County, before his move to Florida.
Because of the District Attorney’s determination that the allegation is false, Father Gillis will now be restored to the status of a priest of the Diocese of Allentown in good standing.
