PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Rev. Mauro Cautela, a parish priest in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh since 1974, has been removed from public ministry while state police investigate what the diocese termed "serious allegations of improprieties."
While details are unavailable, the allegations appear to be both financial and sexual in nature.
Cautela, 57, had been pastor of Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City since 1992 and served as dean of all Lawrence County parishes. According to the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the diocese, allegations were first brought to the diocese Aug. 17. On Wednesday, Cautela was placed on administrative leave and resigned as pastor of Holy Redeemer, and diocesan officials gave the allegations to Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino.
"The diocese came to us and we have asked the state police to look into the matter," Mangino said yesterday.
The state police would not comment because they said the investigation was ongoing.