Diocese of Scranton Statement Regarding Rev. Philip Altavilla

Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
April 4, 2014

http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/2014/04/03/diocese-of-scranton-statement-regarding-rev-philip-altavilla/

Statement Regarding the Arrest of

Reverend Philip Altavilla

On April 3, 2014, the Diocese of Scranton was notified of the arrest of the Reverend Philip Altavilla, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton and pastor of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, who was charged with corruption of a minor and indecent assault. Upon being notified of these charges, the cleric was removed from his assignment and his faculties to exercise priestly ministry were suspended. The Diocese immediately began its cooperation with law enforcement and asks that anyone who may have information about or may have been abused by this cleric contact the Scranton Police Department Detective Bureau at (570) 348-4139.

In response to this crime, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. Bishop of Scranton, expressed his remorse and personal sorrow for the victim and all affected by the situation. In acknowledging his concern for the Cathedral community as well as the faithful and clergy of the Diocese of Scranton, the Bishop said, “I am both angry and demoralized to think that, yet again, a priest has been involved in such inappropriate, immoral and illegal behavior. It is particularly distressing that the pastor of our Cathedral Parish, who is known to countless numbers of the faithful and has served in so many positions of trust and responsibility in the Diocese of Scranton has betrayed that trust in such a manner.” The Bishop requests that the faithful of the Diocese join him in praying for this victim and all who are impacted by sexual abuse.

Teresa Osborne

Chancellor