A Catholic priest who worked for nearly ten years as a chaplain at Graterford State Prison is suing the state in federal court, saying it defamed him and wrongfully fired him.

The 47-year-old Reverend Robert Povish of Boyertown was one of 24 priests suspended two years ago while the Archdiocese of Philadelphia reviewed child sex abuse allegations against them.

Archbishop Charles Chaput removed him from active ministry last year citing boundary issues with children.

His lawsuit, filed by North Wales attorney Brian Wiley, says he was not named in any grand jury report, nor have any charges been filed against him, nor will they ever be, but Pennsylvania Department of Corrections officials violated his civil rights by turning a blind eye to the truth and taking away his reputation by portraying him as a child sex abuser and then taking away his job.