Former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Priest Had Inappropriate Relationship with 18-Year-Old, Diocese Says

The Express-Times
March 4, 2012

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2012/03/former_our_lady_of_perpetual_h.html

Cletus Onyegbule

The Rev. Cletus Onyegbule, 44, who once served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem Township, Pa., was removed from his assignment with a Berks County parish after he acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with a woman that began when she was 18, a spokesman for the Allentown Diocese announced today.

Onyegbule, a native of Nigeria, was serving as associate pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Sinking Spring. A church official said the matter was reported to the appropriate authorities and the priest is at a facility receiving unspecified treatment.

Diocese spokesman Matt Kerr said he would not release specifics about the circumstances "in respect for the parties involved." He would not say which authorities were alerted about the relationship but did say they were outside the church.

"It is up to them to decide" how to handle the information, Kerr said.

Bishop John O. Barres announced the decision during Saturday evening Mass, the diocese said.

After being ordained in 2002, Onyegbule served with St. Ambrose Church in Schuylkill Haven and Our Lady before serving in Sinking Spring. He served at Our Lady from 2003 to 2009.