St. James Priest on Leave Plans to Step down

By Larissa Dudkiewicz
The Patch
July 31, 2012

http://sewickley.patch.com/articles/st-james-priest-on-leave-after-investigation-b2d9494d#c



A Sewickley priest on a leave of absence from St. James Church plans to step down in two weeks "for the good of the parish."

"It became apparent to me this past week that I needed to make a decision about my future and the future of the parish, and asked the Bishop to accept my resignation for my good and the good of the parish," The Rev. Dan Valentine, wrote in a letter to parishioners.

Valentine took a leave of absence beginning on May 19 after a complaint was made about Facebook messages he posted to a minor.

Valentine put in his resignation on July 25th, a day also celebrated as the Feast of St. James. His last day will be Aug. 15.

"Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is to 'let go.' I need time for healing and strengthening as I continue my leave of absence of six months, and our parish needs to move into a promising future as it begins its 150th Anniversary Year," Valentine wrote.

The Rev. Thomas Burke, who is the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Braddock, will replace Valentine beginning on Aug. 27. He was ordained in 2001.

Following an investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney's office has no plans to file charges against the Rev. Dan Valentine.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's office began investigating in May after the Facebook complaint was made against the St. James priest for six years.

The DA's office concluded that while the Facebook postings were "a matter of poor judgment," there was no criminal activity involved. The diocese had also directed the DA's office to do a forensic audit of the computers at St. James Parish and Valentine's private computer as a follow up to the district attorney's office findings.

Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Chris Conners confirmed the investigation concluded last week without charges. He couldn't comment on specific allegations.

Pittsburgh Catholic Bishop David Zubik announced in a letter Saturday to parishioners the district attorney's office had informed the diocese recently that no charges against Valentine would be filed concerning any of the issues that arose in May.

"Throughout this difficult time," Zubik wrote, "Father Valentine has given his full and unqualified cooperation in the investigation of these issues. He has also constantly shown his deep love for Saint James Parish..."

Zubik said Valentine will celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. on Aug. 15, his last day as pastor of the church. Zubik also plans to attend.

Valentine, a Bethel Park native, was ordained a priest in 1974 for the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese. In 2006, he was transferred from West Mifflin to Sewickley.