Joseph Keith Symons (born October 14, 1932) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Symons served as bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida from 1990 to 1998. Previously, he served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in Florida for several months in 1981, then was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in Florida in October 1981. In 1998, Symons sent a letter of resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach to Pope John Paul II after admitting he sexually abused five boys earlier in his career. Biography Early life Joseph Symons was born in Champion Township, Michigan, on October 14, 1932. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph Hurley for the Diocese of St. Augustine on May 18, 1958. In 1971, Symons became chancellor of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Auxiliary Bishop of St. Petersburg On January 16, 1981 John Paul II appointed Symons as the titular bishop of Sigus and as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He was consecrated by Bishop William Larkin on March 19, 1981. Archbishops Edward McCarthy and Thomas Joseph McDonough were the co-consecrators. Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee On October 4, 1983, John Paul II appointed Symons as the second bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was installed on November 8, 1983. Bishop of Palm Beach On June 12, 1990, John Paul II appointed Symons as the second bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach. He was installed on July 31, 1990. Symons served as a member of the Committee for Latin America, part of the National Council of Catholic Bishops. He also was a member of the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, Florida, which provides outreach to Hispanics. In 1991, Symons authorized the taping of an exorcism. The rite was performed by Reverend James J. LeBar and other priests on a 16-year-old girl known as "Gina". Footage of the exorcism was then broadcast on ABC's 20/20 TV program. In allowing the taping, Symons said that he hoped it would help "counteract diabolical activities around us." In 1996, a husband and wife charged that years earlier Symons, when serving as auxiliary bishop of St. Petersburg, had ignored their report that a diocese priest had abused their children, then tried to bribe the couple by offering to pay for therapy for their sons. Symons said he had the priest submit