The late Rev. John McDevitt, courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer

By Shannon McDonald

The late Rev. John M. McDevitt, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, has been accused of sexually abusing Richard Green, the nephew of a former New York Cardinal, John O’Connor.

Green alleges the abuse took place in the early ’90s, when he was 14 and a student in McDevitt’s religion class at Father Judge High School in Holmesburg. Green, now 31, says McDevitt knew he was the nephew of a cardinal, and threatened to fail the boy in religion if he did not submit to the abuse, which took place several times a week over the course of six months. The suit also claims McDevitt threatened to physically harm Green if he reported the attacks to the police. Green left Father Judge after his freshman year.

The Oblates have offered Green counseling while the case is investigaed further. McDevitt was transferred to Philadelphia by the Oblates from Delaware, where he faced many allegations of molestation at Salesianum High School. McDevitt taught at North Catholic from 1971 to 1980 and at Father Judge from 1988 to 1993. He died in 1999.

We all worry. It doesn’t matter if our young child is picked up by a van to go spend the morning at daycare, or our teenagers grab the SEPTA bus to be on time at North Catholic, George Washington, or one of the many high schools in Northeast Philadelphia. The worry only increases when they move their belongings to a college, get married and start a family of their own. The parent trap has a hold of you, and there is no way out.

“Parenting – It never ends… It NEVER ends,” says Jason Robards in the movie ‘Parenthood’. “It’s like your Aunt Edna’s ass. It goes on forever and it’s just as frightening.”

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Courtesy of votemcelhatton.com

By Shannon McDonald

Dan McElhatton’s public office resume is almost as extensive as his ties to the Northeast. The 59-year-old candidate for District Attorney is a City Council alum, graduate of North Catholic, former Assistant District Attorney and Northwood little league coach.He spent two years working at Solly Playground, then represented that district 20 years later as a council member.

In an exclusive interview with NEastPhilly.com, Dan McElhatton talks about his connections with the Northeast and his plans for the next District Attorney.

There aren’t many candidates from the Northeast running for public office. Where abouts are you from?
I was raised in Juniata and moved to Northwood. I went to Holy Innocents as a kid, then onto North Catholic, as did my three brothers, my father and my son. Then I went to Villanova and Temple Law.

How did you spend your time growing up?
My brothers and I were active in the Juniata Park Boys Club. I played varsity baseball and jv basketball at North, then played American Legion baseball in college. I also worked at Solly Playground in Rhawnhurst for two years during the early ’70s.

When did you make the move from Juniata to Northwood?
I got married in 1971, lived in Juniata for three or four years, then moved to Northwood in 1975. My kids went to St. Martin of Tours, where my wife taught. My wife is from Holmesburg; she went to St. Dom’s and St. Hubert’s. My wife’s family still lives in same house on Rowland Avenue.

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