Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad

Kerestus, Thomas Joseph

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Deceased

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Birth data:: Tamaqua, PA, USA — June 23, 1920
Death data:: Allentown, PA, USA, currently Betlehem, PA — 2014
Denomination:: Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical status:: diocesan
Diocese / Order:: Allentown, PA, USA

Ordination level:: priest
Priestly ordination:: 1969 circa

Biographical data

He is a second-generation Hungarian. His parents are János Kerestus and Mária Juskanin. He was ordained a priest around 1969. His name appears on the list of those accused of sexual abuse.

Foreign service locations

From	To	Place	Church / institution	Position
1969	1970	Shenandoah, PA, USA		assistant pastor
1970	1971	Reading, PA, USA		assistant pastor
1971	1974	Northampton, PA, USA		assistant pastor
1974	1976	West Reading, PA, USA		assistant pastor
1976	1977	Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA		assistant pastor
1977	1982	Allentown, PA, USA	Szent István templom	parish priest
1982	1986	Betlehem, PA, USA	Kapisztrán Szent János Magyar R. K. Egyházközség	parish priest
1986		Allentown, PA, USA	Jézus Szíve templom	assistant pastor

Life timeline

Birth

June 23, 1920

Tamaqua, PA, USA

Service abroad

1969 – 1970

Shenandoah, PA, USA

assistant pastor

Priestly ordination

1969

Service abroad

1970 – 1971

Reading, PA, USA

assistant pastor

Service abroad

1971 – 1974

Northampton, PA, USA

assistant pastor

Service abroad

1974 – 1976

West Reading, PA, USA

assistant pastor

Service abroad

1976 – 1977

Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA

assistant pastor

Service abroad

1977 – 1982

Allentown, PA, USA

Szent István templom

parish priest

Service abroad

1982 – 1986

Betlehem, PA, USA

Kapisztrán Szent János Magyar R. K. Egyházközség

parish priest

Service abroad

1986

Allentown, PA, USA

Jézus Szíve templom

assistant pastor

Death

2014

Allentown, PA, USA, currently Betlehem, PA

Sources

https://globalnews.ca/news/4393896/pennsylvania-priests-accused-of-sex-abuse-travelled-to-canada-4-allegedly-abused-children-here/✓
http://articles.mcall.com/1986-06-26/news/2519149_1_pastor-tribunal-jesus-church;✕
KMVÉ: 1980-1987.
ABTL: HU - ÁBTL - I. - 2.2.1. - IV/1 Külföldön élő személyek kartonjai, 1391.;

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● birth ● priestly ordination ● domestic service ● foreign service ● death ● burial

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Citation for this entry

Kerestus, Thomas Joseph: personal record. In: Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad. Available at: https://www.diaszporalelkipasztorok.hu/persons_v2/view.php?id=521 (accessed: 2026-10-30).

Last modified: June 30, 2026 13:15 | Opened: 38 times