Ex-Delco Priest Deemed Unsuitable for Ministry

By Patti Mengers
Daily Times
July 15, 2012

www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/07/15/news/doc50037ac603fb1459140309.txt

Twenty months after federal agents seized his computer in connection with a potential pyramid scheme, the Rev. Geraldo Pinero has been deemed unsuitable for ministry by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

The 47-year-old Roman Catholic priest, who served at St. Joseph Parish in Aston from 2000 to 2003, was found to be in violation of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries.

In a press release, archdiocesan officials declined to elaborate on the priest's violation, but noted that he has been on administrative leave from his position as pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord parish in the Olney section of Philadelphia since November 2010 "when federal authorities executed a search warrant at the parish rectory."

According to the Associated Press, on Nov. 16, 2010, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided Incarnation's rectory and seized a computer after learning Pinero allegedly endorsed online multilevel marketing companies. Reportedly, none of the companies were found guilty of any wrongdoing, but Federal Communications Commission officials warned that such plans can be dubious pyramid schemes.

Pinero, who reportedly appeared online in tuxedo and called himself "Jerry from Philly," promised visitors they could make thousands of dollars a month selling candles, life-coaching or performing other services.

In January 2011, the Associated Press reported that Pinero decided to step down from the post "for the good of the parish" pending the outcome of the investigation.

Archdiocesan spokeswoman Donna Farrell said then that priests were banned from such secular work and archdiocesan officials suspended Pinero when they became aware of his activities.

Since November 2010, Pinero has been restricted from presenting himself publicly as a priest, wearing clerical garb or exercising his public ministry.

On Sunday, archdiocesan officials declined to provide details on Pinero's whereabouts or whether he would be defrocked or laicized.

"In regard to Father Pinero's residence since November of 2010, I can say that he has not been living in an archdiocesan parish. It's too early to comment on whether he will now be laicized or some other course of action will be taken," said archdiocesan spokesman Kenneth Gavin.

Gavin also declined to elaborate on the nature of "personal leave" taken by Pinero from 1997 to 2000, during which time he lived at St. Bridget parish in Philadelphia from 1997 to 1999, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Wynnewood section of Montgomery County in 1999 and at a private residence from 1999 to 2000.

Ordained in 1991, Pinero was first stationed at Incarnation parish from 1991 to 1997.

In 2003, after serving at St. Joseph in Aston for three years, Pinero returned to Incarnation where he remained until he was suspended in November 2010.

Archdiocesan officials noted that Pinero is not one of the 26 priests placed on administrative leave as a result of the February 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse.

So far archdiocesan officials have deemed seven priests to be suitable for ministry and seven, unsuitable.

The remaining cases are still under investigation by an archdiocesan multidisciplinary team headed by former Philadelphia assistant district attorney Gina Maisto Smith, and an archdiocesan review board.

Contact: pmengers@delcotimes.com