Ex-Priest Accused of Abusing Children Gets TSA Job at Philadelphia Airport
- Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:23pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Former priest Thomas Harkins (right)
A Catholic priest who was kicked out of the ministry over sexual abuse allegations now holds a position with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Philadelphia International Airport. Thomas Harkins, the former priest in question, was observed working at a highly-frequented area in the airport by CBS Philadelphia’s I-Team.
Harkins’ work area at the airport, which is reportedly between Terminals D and E, is a bustling place that sees thousands of people, including young children, pass through each day. Harkins previously served as a priest in Catholic churches throughout New Jersey until 2002, when he was accused of abusing two young girls (a new lawsuit being brought by a third women is now in process).
The new legal complaint, which was filed on behalf of the victim against the Camden Diocese (New Jersey), reportedly claims that the child was assaulted 10 to 15 times by the priest between 1980 and 1981. According to CBS, one of the purported assaults allegedly occurred in Harkins’ rectory bedroom at Saint Anthony of Padua parish in Hammonton, New Jersey.
CourierPostOnline.com has more about the lawsuit:
A North Carolina woman has sued the Diocese of Camden, alleging church officials failed to protect her from an abusive priest in the early 1980s.
Lisa Syvertson Shanahan alleges the Rev. Thomas Harkins molested her on multiple occasions in 1980 and 1981 at a Hammonton church. The assaults stopped, the lawsuit says, when Harkins “suddenly” left St. Anthony of Padua parish in 1982.
The lawsuit asserts that Harkins was removed from the parish after another girl accused him of assaulting her, but that church officials did not make that public. Harkins was removed from the priesthood in 2002, after the diocese had settled two complaints in the 1980s that alleged he had abused young girls in Hammonton.
In what can only be described as an awkward dialogue, reporters confronted Harkins about the new case surrounding his alleged past actions as he was leaving his shift at the airport this week. Here are some highlights from the discussion (as per CBS):
The I-Team asked Harkins about the suit as he was leaving his shift at the airport.
“I have nothing to say,” was Harkins’ reply. [...]
The I-Team asked Harkins if the traveling public should be worried.
No, they shouldn’t be,” he said.
“The public should not be worried with you in a position like this despite your past?” reporter Ben Simmoneau asked.
“I have nothing to say,” Harkins repeated.
Watch it, below:
Some victims rights advocates believe that the former priest is working in an inappropriate role, considering the past allegations of child abuse that were waged against him. But while advocates are speaking out, the TSA claims that Harkins mainly handles baggage and that he is not regularly in contact with children.
While the TSA does do criminal background checks, charges were never filed for the purported crimes, as the cases were too old when they came to light. As noted, the Camden Diocese has already settled with the first two alleged victims. So far, a resolution hasn’t yet been met in the case of the third.
(H/T: CBS Philadelphia)
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Comments (64)
trappedinwv
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:06pmThis is to good to make up, classic.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:36pmHow much… does he have to pay the TSA?
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:02pmI‘m surprised he isn’t a Cardinal by now.
Report Post »Oh, that’s right, he molested girls, if it was boys
he would still be a priest. I mean why focus on the
raping of 100k of boys when u can show moral outrage
against the pill. I guess if u only sleep
with boys you dont need contraceptions. Maybe
if the TSA fires him the government cam give him
a job once the takeover of Facebook is complete.
TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:34pmMaybe the people that vote and support the TSA should lose their job. Here are a few of them.
Allen West
Bachmann
Marco Rubio
Mike Rogers
Eric Cantor
Paul Ryan
Before you vote next time maybe you should look at who likes to fondle your kids.
Way to go GOP!!!!
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:00pmDoes anyone know what Romney’s thoughts are on the TSA? Flip or Flop?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:04pmRomney supports it and all the post 9/11 legislation that made our Bill of Right obsolete. He doesn’t eat dog though.
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:54pmCan’t make this stuff up folks. This dude is good to go…but I bet they wouldn‘t hire you if they got wind you didn’t like Obama.
Report Post »usmc1063
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:53pmHmmm isn’t that a prerequisite for a TSA job? From what they are getting away with it sure sounds like it.
Report Post »FedUpWithLibs
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:16pmOnly sick people like him would work for the TSA. That’s close enough to a requirement. You would have to be sick to be okay with molesting people all day everyday.
Report Post »xcapeillinois
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:42pmThis must be the regime’s new initiative on Catholic relations.
Report Post »Laken
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:39pmHE should be sharing a cell with a 300lb guy named Bubba
Report Post »Deceived and Disgusted
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:03pmThanks for the thought, but he’s not my type.
Report Post »Sincerely,
Bubba
chazmo
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:36pmPerfect job for this guy… Why are we surprised by this… Ok, so have we had enough of the TSA yet?
Report Post »skiz
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:28pmThis does not suprise me at all. The TSA is a criminal government agency, it must go. I think it will go when we get rid of obama.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:24pmI guess when ya gotta, ya gotta. Groping calms the nerves ya know.
Report Post »smokeyridgerunner
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:23pmEx-Priest though the job said Thigh small ass for TSA.
Report Post »minorityconservative2
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:10pmRemember how Obama said he wanted a civilian security force in our country well folks we are looking at them. When things get nasty, and they will, we will have the TSA workers pinned with a badge for our “security”. I wanted to leave the country, but my husband says no. I feel like Eve’s mom in V for Vendetta. We are in a police state now and it is only getting worse. They are creeping everything in slowly so we don’t suspect and freak out. What are we going to do people?
Report Post »llotus
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:07pmI am assuming they do a back ground check on their probers. I guess this guy passed all the requirements they were looking for. Lotus.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:21pmThey should do a backround check on anyone who runs for public office we would probably have a different president and most. Democrates would not have made it and maybe a few republicans including Ron Paul. And if someone was molesting me over several years? Why over several years why didn’t she stop going after the first time or tell her parents? Someone even a priest touch my dtr I would have fixed him like the pound does stray dogs. I think all sexual offendeers should be fixed.
Report Post »minorityconservative2
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:03pmIf I ever have to fly I think I will wear a burka then I am sure not to be felt up… I mean frisked.
Report Post »minorityconservative2
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:12pmI mean patted down… sliding hand motion anyone?
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:56pmHey, once you find something you’re good at – stick with it – Right?
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:55pmThis is what happens when you have hedonists running the country.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:54pmThat pedophile is cruising for a bruising. Someone is going to get in trouble over this and they will be the ones in jail where the pedophile should be.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:50pmThis is insane. Will you people please refuse to get behind candidates that won’t end this madness? I got a four year old girl. The GOP is basically telling me they don‘t care if she’s groped by government perverts by pushing Romney, who supports this nonsense, on us. Every candidate who supports the NDAA, Patriot Act, TSA, DHS, HR347, Drones, & CISPA has to be voted out.
Report Post »GardenoftheGods
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:42pmThis pedophile is now in his own form of Heaven… this is why the TSA needs to be privatized & pigs like this kept away from all children.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:15pmAnd the government say trust us and trust the TSA. Yea right. The government has become the terrorist.
Report Post »NutterButter79
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:46pmJustAngry,
Report Post »I wish there was like button for your comment. The GOP supports the TSA and all of the other legislation designed to take away our freedoms. Ron Paul, while I may not agree with all of his views, is the only one that wants to do away with all of these things.
I remember reading comments early on from people saying that the media won’t choose their candidate for them. Looks like they let the media do just that. Romney is just part of the establishment that cares more about lobbyists and corporate cronyism over the rights of citizens.
AmazingGrace8
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 7:17pmIf the TSA was privatized, it seems he would still be employed. Why? He left & charges pending so I’m thinking he gave the TSA a “con-job” to get the job. He was not convicted & does not have a “rap-sheet” so his appearance probably helped him get the job. Why? “Boogey-Men“ look like ”regular John Q. Public”. Who blew the whistle on this guy? I agree with what Pelosi & Big Sis previously said, “If you see something, tell someone“ and ”if you know about an “alleged” child molestor”…I see where this is going because he has not been convicted…as of yet. Sure is a big mess and probably more of this in the TSA & other public services. Creepy! I am not defending the TSA…just there are people in this society that are con-artists and fool alot of people, including their victims. Sad!
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:41pmThat’s just great, I guess the TSA wanted a professional molester to do their pat-downs.
Report Post »Frodo RinosBane
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:40pmProving once and for all that certain jobs attract certain types of people.
Report Post »karenm
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:38pmGoogle why the church stopped letting priests get married. It’s all about money.
Report Post »JimL
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:06pmWhat money?
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:37pmThat’s great! That‘s just freakin’ great! I guess the TSA wanted a “professional molester” to do pat-downs.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:34pmHell he got his dream job,the perv can legally grope us now unmolested.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:33pmGo Figure! With all of the molestation going on at the TSA this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. It is the proverbial fox in the hen house.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:31pmhes qualified for the job like all the other rapists from prison the hire once they get out.
Report Post »fromo1946
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:31pmThat figures, the church is still in denial…let these molesters fondle our passengers, WTF? Please, am I missing something here?
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:36pmWhat I am missing is, what is the TSA supposedly protecting us from?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 7:12pmThe enemy they funded, trained and armed is what they’re protecting us from.
Report Post »