Father Nicholas V. Cudemo

that she now knows that what he did was just “really sick,” but, as a child, she believed it
was her fault. She said she grew up hating herself and her body.
Throughout his tenure at Dougherty High School, Fr. Cudemo took advantage of
Ruth’s family’s hospitality, spending several nights a week at their house and eating most
meals there. The priest dropped his “friendship” with Ruth and her family when he was
transferred out of Dougherty in 1977.
Saint Mary Magdelan De Pazzi (9/77-12/81): Abuse of Marion Continues.
No new victims came forward during Fr. Cudemo’s assignment as assistant pastor
at Saint Mary Magdelan de Pazzi parish. His abuse of Marion, who was then a high school
senior, continued. She testified that she was often in his room at the rectory. She said other
priests saw her at the rectory, but no one seemed to care.
Saint Irenaeus (1/82-6/87): Father Cudemo abuses at least two more girls, but no
contemporaneous reports are recorded.
Father Cudemo was appointed assistant pastor at Saint Irenaeus Parish in January
1982. In a memo to Cardinal Krol, his pastor there described him as “popular with the
youngsters, serving as director of the CYO Sports and Cultural activities. He was very
exacting with the Altar Boys. He visited the school to give religious instructions….” With
three allegations of sexual abuse of minors in his file, this news might have been received
as cause for inquiry. There is no evidence it was.
In January 2001, the Archdiocese learned from Philadelphia Police Officer Denise
Holmes, that Fr. Cudemo had been accused of molesting a student from Saint Irenaeus
grade school during his tenure there. The victim, Theresa, came forward nearly 20 years
later and reported being molested in the confessional by Fr. Cudemo when she was in 5 th ,
6 th , and 7 th grades. In February 2001, she repeated her allegations to Msgr. Lynn’s
assistant, Fr. Vincent Welsh. His notes of a telephone conversation with the victim record
that Fr. Cudemo touched her genitals, had her touch his, and that he “attempted
intercourse.” She said that she had been in counseling for years as a result of what Fr.
Cudemo did to her. According to a letter Theresa wrote to the Archdiocese in October
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