Bucks priest suspended following abuse allegation

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today that Cardinal Justin Rigali had suspended from ministry the Rev. Gerard J. Hoffman, former principal of Pius X High School in Pottstown and Roman Catholic High School, pending an investigation into allegations he sexually abused a minor many years ago.

Hoffman, 63, was ordained a priest in 1973 and had served since 2002 as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Doylestown. Since his suspension last week he is no longer residing at the parish rectory, according to the archdiocese.

In a brief statement, the archdiocese reported that the abuse allegation that prompted his suspension was the first it had ever received against Hoffman, who has served in numerous parishes and high schools during his career.

He served as principal of Piux X High School from 1990 to 1993, and principal of Roman Catholic High from 1994 to 2002.