Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph C. Bambera issued a statement Wednesday on a Tioga County verdict convicting a priest from Wilkes-Barre of sexually abusing an altar boy for six years.
Thomas Shoback, 66, was found guilty Tuesday of nine counts, according to a news report from WETM-TV in Elmira, N.Y. In his statement, Bishop Bambera said Father Shoback "is permanently removed from ecclesiastical ministry and his status as a priest will be referred to the Holy See for a final determination."
The diocese cooperated with the investigation and prosecution of the criminal case against Father Shoback, a diocese news release said.
"At this time, I express my personal sorrow for the pain endured by those who suffered this abuse and extend my apology for any way in which the church, and particularly its bishops, priests and deacons have failed them," Bishop Bambera said.
Court records did not indicate a sentencing date for Father Shoback, a Pittston native who was ordained as a priest in 1977.
"While church law has been and will continue to be exercised with regard to this situation, anyone who believes that they have been the victim of child sexual abuse is encouraged to contact law enforcement," Bishop Bambera said. "Finally, I ask the faithful of the diocese to join their prayers with mine to pray for the continued healing for all those impacted by child sexual abuse and all who search for healing, reconciliation and peace during this difficult time."
Father Shoback served at various Northeast Pennsylvania churches in Exeter Twp., Jermyn, Hazleton, Plains Twp. and Plymouth. In addition, he was a faculty member at the former Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre.
Father Shoback's brother, Edward, who also was a longtime priest in the Scranton Diocese, was defrocked by the Vatican in July 2009 following similar child sex allegations, according to Times-Shamrock archives.
Contact the writer: mbuffer@citizensvoice.com