SCRANTON, PA — Martin M. Boylan, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, has been dismissed from the clerical state, the Diocese announced on October 8. 

Boylan was "found guilty under canon law of the sexual assault of two minors," reads the Diocese's press release. 

Boylan served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Honesdale from 2001 through 2009, and also served in other Catholic churches in Wayne County. 

Five total accusations of sexual assault of minors were received by the Diocese of Scranton between April 2016 and October 2023, according to the Diocese. Cannonical proceedings found him guilty of sexual assault of two minors. 

Dismissal from the clerical state is "the most severe penalty the Catholic Church can impose on a cleric," according to the Diocese. Boylan "will never again exercise priestly ministry in any capacity," and "his relationship with the Diocese of Scranton in any official capacity is now permanently ended," it said. 

Editor's note: This article as previously posted contained a typo in the final paragraph. This has been corrected as of October 21.