When and where Western Pa. priests named in grand jury sex abuse report served
By Nate Smallwood
Tribune-Review
August 16, 2018
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13973274-74/grand-jury-sex-abuse-report-names-81-western-pa-priests
![](../images18/2018_08_16_Nate_Tribune-Review_When_and_ph_Image1.jpg) |
Bishop David Zubik speaks during a press conference at the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Downtown on Aug. 14, 2018. |
Editor’s note: This list has been updated from the original version to include more information about priests named in the report. The following is a list of all Catholic priests from the Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses named in a state grand jury report on sex abuse by clergy.
Diocese of Greensburg
* denotes that person was identified by the diocese, not the grand jury.
*BIENA, MICHAEL (deceased) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s. Allegation was made post-death.
•••
*CLARK, JAMES (removed from ministry) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the early 1970s when employed as a janitor at the former St. James Apollo School and prior to entering the seminary.
Service history
1984-89: Parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin
1989-90: Parochial vicar, St. Pius X Parish, Mt. Pleasant
1990-96: Parochial vicar, St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning; also served as a chaplain at the IUP Kittanning campus
1996-97: Parochial vicar, The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Monessen
1997-99: Part-time parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, and part-time chaplain, Citizens General Hospital, both in New Kensington
1999-2002: Chaplain, Ivrea Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, Frick Hospital, both in Mt. Pleasant, and Highlands Hospital, Connellsville (Fayette County)
2002-18: Chaplain, Uniontown Hospital and Lafayette Manor, both in Uniontown (Fayette County)
2012-18: Part-time chaplain, Frick Community Health Center and Harmon House, both in Mt. Pleasant, and Highlands Hospital & Health Center, Connellsville (Fayette County), while continuing chaplaincies in Uniontown (Fayette County)
2018: Parochial vicar, St. John the Evangelist, St. Joseph, St. Mary (Nativity) and St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, all in Uniontown (Fayette County, while remaining chaplain to Uniontown Hospital
6/29/2018: Removed from ministries and appointments
•••
DELLAMALVA, DENNIS (deceased; 1949-94) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Removed from ministry.
Summary: Diocese paid at least $425,000 in settlements to the families of five alleged victims, including two brothers Father "Denny" was accused of molesting in their home as well as at Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Rehoboth Beach, Del., and others at Mother of Sorrows in Murrysville.
Service history
5/3/1975: Ordained
6/3/1975: Mount St. Peter, New Kensington
8/17/1977: Mother of Sorrows, Murrysville
5/25/1982: Holy Family, Latrobe
10/1/1983: Leave of absence
1986: Resigned from priesthood
•••
FLOHR, GREGORY (deceased; 1937-2004) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the late 1960s. Allegation was made post-death.
Summary: Accused of molesting an altar boy at Immaculate Conception in Irwin from 1967-69, when the victim reported that Flohr used a rope to tie him up in a "praying position" inside a confessional and sodomized the teen with a crucifix. The diocese later reimbursed the victim $51,163 for 107 therapy sessions, eight hospitalizations and four medication bills.
Service history
August 1963: Ordained
6/4/1964-6/24/1968: All Saints, Masontown (Fayette County)
6/25/1968-6/10/1971: Immaculate Conception, Irwin
6/11/1971-6/2/1975: Seton Hill College, Greensburg
6/3/1975-8/20/1975: Holy Cross, Iselin (Indiana County)
8/21/1975-1/28/1981: St. Anthony, Clymer (Indiana County)
1/30/1981-1/14/1985: St. Mary, Yatesboro (Armstrong County) and its mission, St. Gabriel, Nu Mine (Armstrong County)
1/15/1985-1/2/1992: St. Cecilia, Grindstone (Fayette County)
1/3/1992-1/29/1996: Holy Rosary, Republic (Fayette County)
1/30/1996-1/2002: St. Matthew, Saltsburg (Indiana County)
•••
GUTH, CHARLES (deceased; 1896-1986) — Monsignor Guth is alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the 1950s. Allegation was made post-death.
Summary: Victim, as an adult, reported in 2005 that Guth molested him around age 7 when the priest was assigned to Holy Family in West Newton and the boy went to him concerned for his mother's soul after a Sunday school teacher said people who miss Mass go to hell. Guth molested the boy, gave him a nickel and told him that both he and his mother would go to hell and burn if he told anyone what had happened.
Service history
7/1924-4/1925: St. Peter, North Side (Pittsburgh)
4/1925-3/1926: St. Andrew, North Side (Pittsburgh)
3/1926-8/1928: St. Joseph, Braddock (Allegheny County)
8/1928-1/1929: St. Bernard, Dormont (Allegheny County)
1/1929-1/1932: St. Ambrose, North Side (Pittsburgh)
1/1932-7/1932: St. Wendelin, Carrick (Allegheny County)
7/1932-5/1935: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Midland (Beaver County)
5/1935-6/1935: St. Mary, McKees Rocks (Allegheny County)
6/1935-10/1942: St. James, West End (Pittsburgh)
10/1942-8/1944: St. Mary, Parkers Landing (Armstrong County) and its mission, St. James, Petrolia (Butler County)
8/1944-11/1962: Holy Family, West Newton
11/1962-5/1973: St. Mary, Kittanning (Armstrong County)
5/1973: Retired, lived at St. Mary, Kittanning (Armstrong County)
8/1982: Moved to St. Anne's Home for the elderly, Greensburg
•••
LESNIAK, FRANCIS (deceased; 1916-91) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1960s and 70s. Allegations were made post-death.
Summary: Four victims accused Lesniak of molesting and/or raping them from 1962 through the late 1980s at parishes in Mt. Pleasant to Ford City. Incidents reportedly occurred during overnights for altar boys and at a picnic for a first Holy Communion. The diocese paid victims $5,000 for 90 counseling sessions each.
Service history
6/6/1943: Ordained
8/12/1943-2/27/1946: St. Monica, Wampum (Lawrence County) and St. Theresa, Hoytdale (Beaver County)
2/28/1946-2/10/1953: St. Mary, New Kensington
2/11/1953-5/14/1953: St. Bernard, Indiana
5/15/1953-8/3/1954: Transfiguration Church, Mt. Pleasant
8/4/1954-4/3/1956: St. Mary, New Kensington
4/4/1956-9/7/1960: St. Michael, Glen Campbell (Indiana County) and SS Peter & Paul, Arcadia (Indiana County)
9/8/1960-8/31/1965: St. Stanislaus, Calumet (Mt. Pleasant Township)
9/1/1965-6/26/1969: St. Anne, Fellsburg (Rostraver), and Holy Cross, Webster (Rostraver)
6/27/1969-5/24/1976: Seven Dolors, Yukon (South Huntingdon)
5/25/1976-8/1987: St. Francis de Paul, Ford City (Armstrong County)
1987: Retired
•••
LUKAC, RAYMOND (left ministry) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1950s. No longer served in the Greensburg diocese after the late 1950s.
Summary: Reportedly had sex with teenage girls, including a church organist. Said to have impregnated a 17-year-old girl at Holy Trinity, forged the senior pastor's signature on a "marriage" certificate and "divorced" the girl months later.
Service history
1954: Ordained within the Greensburg diocese
6/21/1954: Saints Cyril & Methodius, Fairchance (Fayette County)
6/29/1955: Holy Trinity, Ford City (Armstrong County)
1957: Servants of the Paraclete, New Mexico
8/1/1961: Diocese of Gary, Indiana
7/3/1963: St. Stanislaus, Posen, Ill.
1/16/1964: Immaculate Conception, Clarksburg, W.Va.
Various: Veterans Administration Service
•••
MARCINEK, HENRY (deceased; 1930-87) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the 1970s and 1980s. Allegation was made post-death.
Summary: Victim reported that Marcinek sexually abused him, beginning around age 10, at a Fayette County school and on trips to Sea World, Ohio and Niagara Falls. The diocese paid the victim $10,000 for 90 counseling sessions.
Service history
5/26/1956: Ordained
7/1956-7/1957: Holy Name, Monessen
7/1957-8/1958: SS Cyril & Methodius, Fairchance (Fayette County)
8/1958-6/1960: Holy Trinity, Ford City (Armstrong County)
6/1960-8/1965: Holy Rosary Church, Republic (Fayette County)
8/1965-6/1967: St. Mary Church, Uniontown (Fayette County)
6/1967-6/1970: Elizabeth Church, Starford (Indiana County), and Sacred Heart, Dixonville (Indiana County)
6/1970-5/1973: Holy Rosary Church, Republic (Fayette County)
5/1973-1/1982: Holy Cross, Youngwood, and St. Gilbert Church, Hunker
1/1982-1/1985: St. Pius X, Mt. Pleasant
•••
MOSLENER, ROBERT (removed from ministry) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1970s and 1980s.
Summary: Six victims testified to being abused by Moslener, beginning in 1979, until he was removed from ministry in 2002. Some of the reported incidents involved children in North Huntingdon and New Kensington.
Service history
1976-78: St. John the Baptist, Scottsdale
1978-79: St. Agnes, North Huntingdon
1979-1985: St. Joseph, New Kensington
1985-86: St. Pius X, Mt. Pleasant
1986: St. Cajetan, Monessen
1986-87: Saints Simon and Jude, Blairsville (Indiana County)
10/1987: St. Luke Institute, Suitland, Md.
1987-88: Holy Cross, Iselin (Indiana County)
1988-1992: Assumption Hall, Sisters of Charity Retirement Home, Greensburg
1992-96: St. Patrick, Brady's Bend (Armstrong County)
1996-2002: St. Mary Church and Sacred Heart Church, Yatesboro (Armstrong County)
6/2002: The Anodos Center, Downingtown (Chester County)
•••
ORIS, FABIAN (deceased; 1915-2007) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1960s and 1970s. Removed from ministry.
Summary: A woman whose parents were friends with Oris alleged in 2002 that he had sexually abused her when she was about age 4-12. The victim said Oris fondled and performed oral sex on her while they shared a bed in the rectory at St. Hedwig in Smock. He also was accused of fondling the victim's older sister. The diocese told Oris he was no longer permitted to publicly present himself as a priest. In 2014, another victim alleged Oris kissed her on the mouth in the late 1970s, when she was 10 or 11, on five occasions when she was sent to the rectory at St. Mary in Uniontown for disciplinary action.
Service history
6/14/1942: Ordained
8/27/1942-5/14/1953: St. Mary, Brownsville (Fayette County)
5/15/1953-1/31/1955: St. Bernard, Indiana
2/1/1955-3/21/1962: St. Hedwig, Smock (Fayette County)
3/22/1962-6/10/1971: St. Florian, United (Mt. Pleasant Township)
6/11/1971-5/2/1973: Holy Rosary, Republic (Fayette County)
5/2/1973-2/10/1990: St. Mary, Uniontown (Fayette County)
•••
PARRAKOW, EDMOND (removed from ministry) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1970s and early 1980s while serving in the Archdiocese of New York and in the late 1980s while serving in the Greensburg diocese.
Summary: He allegedly admitted to church officials that he sexually abused about 35 male children as a priest in New York — including engaging in mutual masturbation, fellatio and anal intercourse. He allegedly abused more minors while serving in the Greensburg diocese in the late 1980s and was eventually removed from ministry as a result of the allegations, the diocese said. He also admitted to a state grand jury that he had molested children as a priest, many of whom were altar boys.
Service history
1968-69: Assumption Catholic Church, Tuckahoe, N.Y.
1969-73: St. Peter, Yonkers, N.Y.
1973-84: St. Martin of Tours, Bronx, N.Y. (St. Thomas Aquinas High School, faculty)
1985: Servants of the Paraclete, Jemez Springs, N.M.
December 1985: Accepted into Greensburg diocese
1985-86: Holy Family Catholic Church, Latrobe
1986-89: St. Pius X, Mt. Pleasant
Leave: Return to Archdiocese of New York
2004: Request for laicization
•••
PIERCE, GEORGE (deceased; 1933-2009) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Diocese petitioned to laicize him as a result of the allegations.
Summary: Victim claimed she was sexually assaulted by Pierce beginning in 1968, when she was 12, and continuing until she was about 20. It began when she cleaned the St. Gertrude rectory and after he moved to Seward. She reported becoming jealous of another woman he had a sexual relationship with in Jeannette. Diocese settled case with victim for $30,000.
Another victim reported that Pierce forced him to have sex over three years beginning when he was about 10 in order to be saved and go to heaven after reporting to the priest that he had been "gang raped" at age 7.
Service history
5/23/1959: Ordained
6/23/1959-12/8/1960: St. Mary, Freeport (Armstrong County)
12/9/1960-2/13/1963: All Saints, Masontown (Fayette County)
2/14/1963-6/12/1966: Immaculate Conception, Connellsville (Fayette County)
6/13/1966-6/19/1967: St. Mary and Holy Trinity, Ford City (Armstrong County)
6/20/1967-6/24/1968: Immaculate Conception, Irwin
6/25/1968-6/7/1972: St. Gertrude, McIntyre (Indiana County), and its mission St. Anthony, Aultman (Indiana County)
6/7/1972-6/4/1985: Holy Family, Seward, and its missions St. Mary, Bolivar, and St. Mary, Florence
6/4/1985-6/20/1995: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Leckrone (Fayette County)
6/20/1995-5/14/1997: St. James, Maxwell (Fayette County)
5/14/1997: Leave of absence
8/1998: Retired
•••
PREMOSHIS, GREGORY (removed from ministry; 1938-) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s while a teacher at Geibel Catholic High School in Connellsville.
Summary: Victim said Premoshis began molesting him in 1980 while he was a student in Connellsville, staying at the rectory and later on out-of-town trips. Diocese paid the victim $5,000 and provided 90 counseling sessions.
Service history
5/18/1968: Ordained
6/25/1968: St. Paul, Greensburg
6/27/1969: Religion teacher, Greensburg Catholic High School; lived at St. Paul
6/9/1980: Religion teacher, Geibel High School, Connellsville (Fayette County); lived at Immaculate Conception, Connellsville
7/15/1986: Religion teacher, Geibel High School, Connellsville (Fayette County); lived at St. Rita, Connellsville
10/12/1987: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mt. Pleasant
7/7/1998: St. Stanislaus, Calumet (Mt. Pleasant Township)
3/19/2002: Administrative leave
8/2002: Retired
•••
ROGERS, THOMAS (deceased; 1923-2005) — Alleged to have sexually abused a high school-aged boy in New York in the early 1960s while serving in the Greensburg diocese. New York authorities declined to pursue criminal charges.
Summary: Teen reported to police in 1962 that Rogers attempted to sexually assault him while he hiked near Saranac Lake, N.Y. The victim's father and police agreed not to pursue the case if Rogers left town.
Service history
1/26/1952: Ordained
1953: St. Edward, Herminie (Sewickley Township)
1953-54: St. Mary, Freeport (Armstrong County)
1954-55: Immaculate Conception, Connellsville (Fayette County)
6/29/1955-7/4/1956: Immaculate Conception, Irwin
7/5/1956-7/7/1958: SS Simon and Jude, Blairsville (Indiana County)
7/8/1958-1960: St. John the Baptist, Scottdale
1/6/1961: Incardinated in the Diocese of Greensburg
6/3/1965-6/24/1968: St. Anthony, Clymer (Indiana County)
6/25/1968-8/7/1972: St. Charles Borromeo, Sutersville
8/8/1972-2/18/1981: St. Mary, Ford City (Armstrong County)
2/19/1981-1/21/1991: Seven Dolors, Yukon (South Huntingdon Township)
1/22/1992-11/4/1998: St. Anne, Rostraver
11/4/1998: Retired
•••
SANESI, LEONARD (deceased; 1923-92) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the early 1960s while assigned to the St. Joseph Diocesan Minor Seminary, which was open from 1964-70 and located at the Bishop Connare Center, east of Greensburg. Allegations were made post-death.
Summary: Victim reported to diocese that Sanesi molested him in the 1960s while he was at the minor seminary, a school for boys who had completed high school and were considering entering seminary.
Service history
1953: Ordained
6/16/1953-6/21/1955: St. Rita, Connellsville (Fayette County)
6/22/1955-7/7/1958: St. Cajetan, Monessen
7/8/1958-1/15/1962: Immaculate Conception, Irwin
1/16/1962-6/12/1966: St. Joseph Minor Seminary, Greensburg
6/13/1966-5/28/1974: Holy Family, West Newton
5/29/1974-8/22/1983: Immaculate Conception, Irwin
8/23/1983-6/17/1990: Mount St. Peter, New Kensington
6/18/1990-1/10/1992: All Saints, Arnold
•••
SINCLAIR, ROGER (removed from ministry; 1947-) — Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Summary: Two mothers wrote the diocese in 1981 to report Sinclair had attempted to molest their sons, who were about 14 years old.
Service history
5/4/1974: Ordained
1974-77: Immaculate Conception, Connellsville (Fayette County)
1977-79: Holy Family, Latrobe
1979-80: St. Therese, Uniontown (Fayette County)
1980-83: St. Mary, Kittanning (Armstrong County)
1983-84: Sick leave
1984-2002: Released to the Archdiocese of Military Services
3/7/2002: Facilities revoked
4/12/2002: Removed from the Archdiocese of Military Services
•••
SREDZINSKI, JOSEPH (deceased; 1944-2015) — Alleged to have sexually abused a minor in the early 1990s.
Summary: Mayor of Everson, Fayette County, met with diocese in 1991 to report incident of a police officer finding Sredzinski parked in a cemetery with a young boy at night and reports of other inappropriate relationships the priest had with young boys.
Service history
5/9/1970: Ordained
1970-72: St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell
1972-74: Holy Rosary, Republic (Fayette County)
1974-79: St. Mary Czestochowa, New Kensington
1979-1984: St. Peter, Brownsville (Fayette County)
6/5/1984-6/5/1989: St. Stanislaus, Calumet (Mt. Pleasant Township)
9/1989-12/1989: Theological Studies, North American College, Rome
6/5/1989-1999: St. Joseph, Everson (Fayette County)
6/18/1999-7/5/2007: St. Hubert, Point Marion (Fayette County)
7/5/2007-4/1/2009: St. Emma's Monastery, Greensburg
7/5/2007-4/24/2009: SCI Greensburg, Greensburg
7/5/2007-8/18/2010: Chaplain, Westmoreland Manor Nursing Home, Greensburg
8/18/2010-/2014: Sacred Heart Church, Jeannette
•••
SWEENEY, JOHN (removed from ministry; 1942-) — Accused of molesting a Lower Burrell Catholic school student 25 years ago.
Summary: A 35-year-old man told investigators he was sent to see Sweeney because of misbehavior while in the fourth grade at St. Margaret Mary School in Lower Burrell. The man said he performed oral sex on Sweeney, who told him he would not be punished if he did so. Arrested on a charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, Sweeney pleaded guilty July 31 to a reduced misdemeanor charge of indecent assault. He faces up to five years in prison.
Service history
5/9/1970: Ordained
1970-1975: Holy Family, Latrobe
1975-1980: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
1980-1982: St. Hedwig, Smock
1982-1985: St. Mary, Freeport
1985-1998: St. Margaret Mary, Lower Burrell
1998-2008: St. James, Apollo
2008-16: Holy Family, West Newton
12/31/2016: Retired
•••
TAMILOWSKI, JOSEPH (deceased; 1928-1994) — Accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1960s.
Summary: A victim reported to diocesan officials in 2002 and earlier that Tamilowski on a few occasions had grabbed him in the crotch area while he served as an altar boy at Assumption in Leechburg and the Mission of St. Mary Church in Schenley.
Service history
5/29/1954: Ordained
6/1954-7/1956: Transfiguration, Mt. Pleasant
7/1956-2/1959: St. Mary, New Kensington
2/1959-12/1960: St. Hyacinth, Monessen
12/1960-6/1967: Assumption in Leechburg and the Mission of St. Mary Church, Schenley
6/1967-11/1971: Holy Spirit, Fayette City
12/1971-unknown: St. Barbara, Harrison City
8/1977-5/1984: St. Hyacinth, Monessen
5/1984-4/1994: St. Joseph, Uniontown
4/1991: Retired
•••
TROTT, ROGER (removed from ministry; deceased; 1944-2017) — Accused of sexually abusing multiple minors in the 1980s.
Summary: Trott confessed after families of 12 altar boys alleged in 1987 that he had committed sexual acts on the boys while he was pastor at St. John the Baptist de la Salle in Delmont. According to court records associated with later criminal charges, Trott fondled and masturbated at least four of the victims and massaged and performed oral sex on eight others. One of the victims, described as a 21-year-old with Down syndrome, reportedly underwent surgery for a bowel blockage doctors attributed to the incidents with Trott. Trott served five years' probation and was treated at St. Luke's Institute in Suitland, Md., after pleading guilty to one count of corruption of minors. A man alleged in 2002 that Trott fondled him and performed oral sex on him in 1973, when he was 10. The man was awarded $130,000 in a lawsuit against the diocese.
Service history
5/9/1970: Ordained
1970-75: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg
1975-82: Holy Trinity, Ligonier
1982-85: St. Matthew, Saltsburg
1985-87: St. John the Baptist de la Salle, Delmont
1987: Leave of absence
•••
WEBER, CHARLES (deceased; 1919-2000) — Accused of sexually abusing a minor in the early 1980s.
Summary: A man alleged in 2015 that Weber had fondled the victim's genitals when he was between 11 and 13 years old, after Weber lectured children on the meaning of impure thoughts and actions at St. Gertrude Church in Vandergrift.
Service history
11/4/1945: Ordained
Full service history not available
•••
Diocese of Pittsburgh
•••
ADAMS, JAMES R. – (deceased; 1935-2011)
Alleged to have groped an adolescent boy over his clothes on multiple occasions in the 1970s while they were riding in a car. After the accusation was made in 1992, the diocese sent him to a treatment facility in St. Louis and withdrew Adams's faculties, meaning he could no longer perform the Sacraments such as taking confession or distributing communion. Adams did not complete the treatment program and was on a leave of absence until being removed from ministry in 2003.
Service history:
May 1963: Ordained
May 1963: St. Francis Xavier, Pittsburgh
Feb. 1966: St. Peter, McKeesport
Aug. 1966: St. Raphael, Morningside
May 1972: St. Francis of Assisi, Finleyville
Oct. 1977: Resurrection, West Mifflin
Sept. 1979: St. Isaac Jogues, Elrama
June 1985: Leave of absence
Oct. 1992: Leave of absence
March 1993: Leave of absence
March 2003: Withdrew, dismissed from ministry
•••
ARMSTRONG, JAMES L. – (deceased; 1950-2012)
Alleged to have given homeless boys in Pittsburgh drugs, alcohol and money in exchange for sex. He was placed on a leave of absence while undergoing unspecified treatment in St. Louis for about five months in 1991 and on administrative leave from 2007 until he died.
Service history:
Oct. 1977: Ordained
Oct. 1977: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pittsburgh
July 1982: St. Francis Xavier, Pittsburgh
June 1985: Resurrection, West Mifflin
June 1989: St. Ursula, Allison Park
July 1990: Holy Sepulcher, Butler
June 1991: Leave of absence
Oct. 1992: St. Paul, Butler
Aug. 1999: Newman Center and St. Peter, both in Slippery Rock
July 2007: Administrative Leave
•••
BAUER, JOHN M. – (born 1953)
Allegedly provided boys of unspecified age with alcohol, wrestled with them and talked about masturbation around them. Bauer denied providing the boys with alcohol. The allegation was forwarded to the Washington County District Attorney's Office.
Service history:
May 1973: Ordained
May 1973: St. Joan of Arc, South Hills
Oct. 1978: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa.
June 1994: Good Samaritan, Ambridge
Feb. 1998: Leave of absence
Jan. 1999 to present: Our Lady of Consolation and St. Hugh, both in Carmichaels
•••
BRUECKNER, JOHN E. – (deceased; 1915-1960)
Allegedly sexually abused a boy in a car sometime between 1947 and 1951. The incident was reported to the diocese in 2016, nearly 60 years after Brueckner died. The diocese reported the allegation to the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office.
Service history:
June 1940: Ordained
Feb. 1940: Immaculate Conception, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1944: St. Joseph, New Kensington
Sept. 1947: St. Mary and New Castle Hospital, New Castle
April 1949: St. Mary, Beaver Falls
Nov. 1951: St. Lawrence, Pittsburgh
June 1956: Annunciation, North Side, Pittsburgh
May 1959: St. Luke Carnegie
•••
BURCHIANTI, LEO – (deceased; 1939-2013)
Alleged to have had inappropriate contact with at least eight boys between 1967 and 1993. The allegations ranged from providing boys with alcohol or allowing them to use drugs in the rectory to having sex with them. He also admitted to having sex with the mother of at least one of the victims. The diocese provided $24,000 to cover counseling costs of one victim and a $15,000 settlement to another. He retired in 1995 and withdrew from ministry in 2013.
Service history:
1964: Ordained
May 1964: St. Joseph, Natrona
Aug. 1966: Immaculate Conception, Bloomfield
June 1968: Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township
May 1973: St. James, Sewickley
Jan. 1979: St. Philip Neri, Donora
Nov. 1980: Leave of absence, health reasons
Feb. 1981: St. Rosalia, Greenfield
Dec. 1981: St. Joseph, West Aliquippa
April 1993: Leave of absence, health reasons/administrative
Jan. 1995: Retired
Jan. 2003: Withdrew from ministry
•••
CASTELUCCI, ROBERT – (born 1938)
Alleged to have sexually abused at least five minor boys starting in the 1970s. The diocese paid more than $10,000 to help cover counseling costs for victims. Castelucci was placed on administrative leave in 1999 and withdrew from active ministry in 2002.
Service history:
May 1964: Ordained
May 1964: St. Rosalia, Greenfield
May 1965: St. Joseph, Coraopolis, and St. Martha, Groveton
May 1973: St. Patrick, Canonsburg
May 1974: St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, Braddock
June 1981: St. Lawrence, Hillsville
Dec. 1994: Leave of absence
July 1999: Administrative leave
March 2002: Withdrew from active ministry
•••
CAUTELA, MAURO JAMES – (deceased; 1948-2005)
Alleged to have inappropriately touched three young and used church donations and other funds to further some of his relationships with young boys and purchase homosexual pornography on church computers.
One victim said Cautela sexually abused him between 1998 and 2005 when he was between 12 and 19 years old. He said Cautela had befriended him during a very difficult time in his life. There was a state police investigation and the FBI had prepared to file charges but Cautela died of a heart attack in 2005.
Service history:
May 1974: Ordained
May 1974: Our Lady of Joy, Pittsburgh
June 1979: St. Vitus, New Castle
Aug. 1983: St. James, Sewickley
May 1984: Mother of Good Counsel, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1989: St. Norbert, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1992: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ellwood City
July 1998: St. Agatha, Ellwood City
Feb. 2000: Holy Redeemer, Ellwood City
•••
CHATT, CHARLES J. – (born 1936)
Alleged to have sexually abused a young man in either 1970 or 1971 at St. Anne's in Castle Shannon. Other abuses took place at St. Albert's in Baldwin and Our Lady of Loreto in Brookline. Chatt completed treatment at St. Michael's Community and parishioners were told he left ministry for health reasons. He withdrew from ministry in 2003 and the Bishop withdrew his faculties and permissions.
Service history:
May 1964: Ordained
May 1964: St. Alphonsus, Springdale
March 1969: St. Anne, Castle Shannon
May 1974: St. Albert the Great, Baldwin
Aug. 1981: Our Lady of Loreto, Brookline
July 1992: Leave of absence
Jan. 2003: Withdrew from active ministry
•••
CIPOLLA, ANTHONY J. – (deceased; 1943-2016)
First accused of sexually abusing children in 1978 while assigned to St. Francis Xavier. He is accused of abusing two brothers who were 9 and 12 years old. The father of one of his victims committed suicide. A third victim reported in 1988 that he was sexually abused by Cipolla for approximately a four-year period when he was 13 to 17 years old. Cipolla was sent by Bishop Donald Wuerl to St. Luke Institute for a psychiatric examination and evaluation. Wuerl eventually declared that Cipolla, who was sued by one of his victims, could not as a priest in good standing.
Service history:
Oct. 1972: Ordained
Dec. 1972: St. Bernard Church, Mt. Lebanon
Nov. 1974: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa.
May 1975: St. Philomena, Beaver Falls
Sept. 1976: St. Agatha, Bridgeville
July 1978: St. Francis Xavier, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1978: St. Canice, Knoxville
June 1983: St. Philip, Crafton
Dec. 1983: McGuire Memorial Home for Exceptional Children, New Brighton
Nov. 1988: Leave of absence
Sept. 2002: Laicized
•••
CONNOR, JOHN P. – (born 1934) Arrested in New Jersey for sexually molesting a 14-year-old child in October 1984. The sexual abuse took place in Connor's home in the Diocese of Camden during the time he was a theology teacher and golf coach at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken. The Grand Jury investigation found little to no documentation that the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or Camden notified local law enforcement or the District Attorney's office about Connor's sexual abuse.
Service history:
April 1962: Ordained
April 1962: St. Vincent of Assisi, Vineland, N.J.
Jan. 1966: St. Mary, Gloucester, N.J.
June 1966: St. Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights, N.J., and Paul VI High School, Haddon Township, N.J.
1970: Bishop Eustace Preparatory, Pennsauken Township, N.J.
Feb. 2002: Removed from active ministry/retirement
•••
CROWLEY, JOHN DAVID – (deceased; 1929-2006)
Allegations surfaced in 1992 that he had abused twin sisters at the age of 16. After allegations were deemed to be credible, Bishop Donald Wuerl asked him to resign. Wuerl allowed Crowley to say publicly that he was retiring early to protect his reputation.
Service history:
May 1954: Ordained
June 1954: St. Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills
June 1968: St. Margaret, Green Tree
March 1969: Holy Angels, Hay
Jan. 2003: Resigned
•••
DEAKIN, RICHARD – (born 1955)
Pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and sexual abuse of a child in 1990. Police said that he sexually a girl for two years while on leave from the Pittsburgh diocese and serving as an assistant pastor at a Baltimore church. The girl, who was 13 when the abuse began, was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression. The diocese settled a civil lawsuit filed by the girl's family in 1993 for $2.7 million.
Service history:
April 1985: Ordained
March 1984 to June 1987: St. Martin, Baltimore
June 1987: St. Cecilia Church and Friary, Rochester
1988: St. Francis Friary, Brookline
Aug. 1989: Leave of absence
Dec. 1992: Dismissed from clerical state
•••
DEMSHER, FERDINAND B. – (deceased; 1914-1983)
Alleged to have abused five children in the 1960s and 1970s while he served at St. Mary of the Assumption, Catholic Central High School, Resurrection and on a trip to Wildwood, New Jersey.
Summary: Demsher is accused of having the children take off their clothes, fondling them and having them touch him. The diocese notified the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office of the two of the allegations and provided financial assistance to two of the victims.
Service history:
May 1946: Ordained
Aug. 1946: St. Peter, New Kensington
July 1947: Christ the King, Ambridge
June 1949: St. James, West End
May 1951: United States Army
July 1963: Resurrection, Brookline
June 1966: St. Mary of the Assumption, Pittsburgh
•••
DISKIN, MYLES ERIC – (born 1948)
Alleged to have abused at least nine boys and girls while serving at parishes during the 1970s in Butler County.
Summary: The allegations include inappropriate touching, fondling, oral sex and an on-going sexual relationship with a child. The district attorney's offices in Butler and Allegheny County knew of the some of the accusations. A series of civil lawsuits were filed against Diskin.
Service history:
March 1975: Ordained
March 1975: St. Paul, Butler
July 1975: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ellwood City
Nov. 1981: Sacred Heart, Pittsburgh
July 1987: Diocese of Pittsburgh
Jan. 1991: Diocese of Pittsburgh
March 2003: Resigned
•••
DORSCH, RICHARD J. – (born 1944)
Convicted of indecent assault and corrupting the morals of a minor in April 1995. Sentenced to 11.5 to 23 months in jail but released a week later on parole. Withdrawn from ministry in May 1996.
Summary: Dorsch is accused of molesting at least seven children. The abuse included fondling, oral and anal sex and forced, violent masturbation. One of his victims committed suicide in May 2010 after attempting to kill himself several times because of the abuse and two months after the diocese stopped paying for his mental health treatments. Dorsch received nearly $160,000 in monthly sustenance checks from the time of his conviction through 2009.
Service history:
May 1970: Ordained
June 1970: St. Basil, Carrick
May 1975: St. Philip, Crafton
Oct. 1977: All Saints, Etna
March 1983: St. Michael, Butler
June 1985: St. Francis De Sale, McKees Rocks
Sept. 1991: St. Coleman, Turtle Creek
Feb. 1994: Risen Lord, Pittsburgh
Aug. 1994: Leave of absence
May 1996: Withdrawn from ministry
•••
DZERMEJKO, DAVID F. – (born 1948)
Pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of child pornography and sentenced to three years in prison in November 2013. Laicized in October 2015.
Summary: Three victims accused Dzermejko of abusing them in the late 1970s through the early 1990s. The allegations include anal and oral sex. He fondled one victim while on the ferris wheel at a church festival. The priest asked the operator to keep the ride going three times longer than it should have to continue molesting the boy. Another he abused on his boat, "The Seaman." Police in 2013 searched Dzermejko's room at St. John Vianney Manor and seized child pornography and found guns and illegal drugs. Dzermejko admitted to traveling to Thailand to have sex with teen boys. He was dismissed from the clerical state in 2015, a year after he started serving time in prison. The church continued to pay him through at least March 2016.
Service history:
May 1974: Ordained
May 1974: Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Harrison
June 1979: St. Teresa of Avila, Pittsburgh
June 1984: St. Susanna, Penn Hills
June 1991: St. Jerome, Charleroi
Oct. 1992: Mary, Mother of the Church, Charleroi
June 2009: Leave of absence, resides at St. John Vianney Manor, Pittsburgh
Oct. 2015: Laicized
•••
FITZGERALD, JOHN P. – (born 1948)
Accused of molesting a boy in 1996 while serving in the chapel at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Status of the investigation into Fitzgerald is unknown.
Summary: A man accused Fitzgerald in 2014 of molesting him as a boy while the priest served at Holy Trinity Church and was the chaplain at the airport. The man said Fitzgerald touched him, attempted to his hand down his pants, exposed himself and had the him give the priest oral sex. Fitzgerald denied the allegations and threatened the boy and his family. A Diocesan Review Board in 2014 recommended Fitzgerald not be returned to his assignment, which was at Our Lady of Peace in Conway. The diocese paid for counseling and drug treatment for the man.
Service history:
May 1974: Ordained
May 1974: St. Thomas and St. Michael, both in Braddock
Feb. 1977: St. Michael the Archangel, Butler
July 1982: St. Alexis, Wexford
March 1983: All Saints, Pittsburgh
June 1988: St. Alselm, Pittsburgh
June 1989: St. Teresa of Avila, Pittsburgh
Aug. 1991: St. Anthony, Bessemer
Nov. 1994: Pittsburgh International Airport
Jan. 1995: St. Lawrence, Hillsville
July 1995: St. John Neumann, Pittsburgh
June 1996: Pittsburgh International Airport
July 2009: Our Lady of Grace, Conway
•••
GANTER, JOSEPH M. – (deceased; 1882-unknown)
Alleged to have abused at several minor children during the 1930s and 40s.
Summary: An 80-year-old man reported abuse at Ganter's hands in the thirties to the diocese in 2008. An investigation of Ganter's personnel file revealed three similar allegations from 1943, when an adult man had reported three "immoral and corrupt" relationships Ganter was engaging in with three teenage boys.
Service history:
May 1922: Ordination
July 1922: Sts. Peter and Paul, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1923: St. Martin Church, West End
July 1932: St. Athanasius, West View
March 1942: St. Boniface, Penn
June 1964: Retired
•••
GENIZER, JOHN A. – (born 1941)
Summary: Alleged to have fondled a 13-year-old boy in 1980; report was made in 1995. Genizer denied the allegation. He was denied a special assignment as a chaplain aboard a passenger cruise ship in 2009 because of the sexual allegation in his confidential file. However, Genizer was also informed the allegation would not affect his current standing in the Diocese because it was an "inconclusive allegation."****Service history:
Dec. 1967: Ordained
July 1968: St. Paul, Butler
May 1973: Office of Religious Education, Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center
May 1973: Duquesne University, graduate studies
Feb. 1975: Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center
Aug. 1980: Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.
June 1990: Holy Innocents, Pittsburgh
June 1991: McGuire Memorial Home, New Brighton
June 1991: St. Cyril and Methodius, New Brighton
Feb. 1994: St. Colman, Turtle Creek
Jan. 2000: Chaplain, US Navy, Washington, D.C.
March 2007: St. Barbara, Bridgeville
July 2008: St. John the Baptist, Pittsburgh
June 2011 to present: Little Sisters of the Poor
•••
GINDER, CHARLES R. – (deceased; 1914-1984)
Summary: Alleged to have abused multiple minors in the late 1940s through 1980. Diocese paid $20,000 in a settlement to one alleged victim, who said Ginder molested him on several trips to New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Another alleged victim said he was on a retreat with Ginder and got out of a car when Ginder started fondling him on top of clothes, and took a bus home.
Service history:
June 1940: Ordained
Aug. 1940: St. Gregory, Zelienople and St. Mathias, Evans City
Sept. 1972: Society of St. Suplice (NFI)
Feb. 1946: Sts. Simon & Jude, Blairsville
June 1950: St. George, South Side, Pittsburgh
Dec. 1953: St. Joseph, North Side, Pittsburgh
Dec. 1954: Censor Librorum
June 1959: St. Mary, New Castle
Feb. 1961: School Sisters of St. Francis, Bellevue
July 1962: Health related leave of absence
Aug. 1963: Our Lady of Mercy Academy (NFI)
May 1964: St. Januarius, Pittsburgh
May 1964: St. John the Baptist, Pittsburgh
June 1964: Sick Leave
Jan. 1967: St. John the Baptist, Baden
1970-1984: Sick leave
•••
GRAHAM, JAMES G. – (deceased; 1966-2015)
Summary: Diocese removed him as a priest in 2012 after finding allegations to be credible that he raped several young boys on multiple occasions and wrote one a love letter.
Service history:
May 1966: Ordained
June 1966: St. Lawrence O'Toole, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1972: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pittsburgh
May 1974: St. Bernadette, Monroeville
Sept. 1978: St. Lawrence O'Toole, Garfield
April 2012: Leave of Absence
•••
HILDEBRAND, WILLIAM – (deceased; unknown-1979)
Five adult males reported in 2014that they were abused by Brother William Hildebrand when they attended North Catholic High School in the 1950s and 60s. One alleged victim said Hildebrand was his Latin teacher and would make him stay after school. He reported that Hildebrand made him pull down his pants and then groped him.
Service history:
Unknown
•••
HOEHL, JOHN S. – (born 1938)
The Diocese settled a lawsuit in 2007 with 32 alleged victims who accused Hoehl of sexually abusing them while they were students at Quigley High School in Beaver County in the 1970s.While at a treatment center in 1986, he admitted to having sex with several high school students when he was headmaster at Quigley. Diocesan records show each report of sexual abuse was brought to the attention of the District Attorney's office, but the statute of limitations for prosecution had expired.
Service history:
1964: St. Mary Magdalene, Homestead
1966: St. Francis Xavier, Pittsburgh
1971: Quigley Catholic High School, Baden
1985: Bishop Boyle High School, Homestead
1985: St. John Joachim, Greenfield
1986: Secretariat for Education, Pittsburgh
1987: Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh
•••
HOPKINS, JAMES (unknown-unknown) - Alleged to have conducted a "medical exam" on a child during which the priest is said to have made "creepy comments" about the child's behind.
Summary: In November of 2012 the diocese received an email complaint stating Hopkins had, decades earlier, conducted a "medical exam" of the man, who at the time was a freshman at St. Fidelis Seminary High School in Herman. Hopkins was transferred to Diocese of Camden, New Jersey in 1973. In Hopkins was arrested for and pled guility to molesting a Camden County altar boy in 1995. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender.
Service history:
1968: Ordained
•••
HUBER, JOHN J. (deceased; 1942-1998) – Alleged to have sexually assaulted a boy in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Allegations referred to the District Attorney.
Summary: In March 2009, a man reported to the Diocese of Pittsburgh that he'd been abused by Huber when he served at St. Canice Church. When the man was in fourth or fifth grade, he told Huber during confession that another priest had touched his genitals. Huber suggested one-on-one counseling during which he allegedly performed oral sex on the boy and gave him $20. Allegedly happened multiple times.
Diocese sent a letter to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office on March 30, 2009.
Service history:
May 1968: Ordained
June 1968: St. Canice Church, Knoxville, Pittsburgh
May 1973: St Joseph Church, Duquesne
May 1979: St. James Church, Sewickley
June 1983: St. Joseph Home for the Aged, Pittsburgh
July 1984: St. Bernard, Mt. Lebanon
August 1985: St. Thomas Aquinas, California
August 1991: St. Catherine of Siena, Wireton
•••
HUFF, EDWARD G. (born 1947) – Handwritten note alleged Huff admitted to touching 500 children and targeting at least 1,200. Charged in Lawrence County in 1994, paroled in 1999.
Several victims reported sexual abuse beginning in 1992, including asking the children to go places with him and touching them inappropriately. Removed from assignment at St. Anselm and evaluated by St. Michael's Community Program in St. Louis.
Placed on administrative leave in 1993 and returned to St. Michael's. Resigned in February 1994, charged in Lawrence County for crimes that occurred at St. Anthony's. Pleaded guilty and sentenced to up to five years. Paroled Aug. 5, 1999.
In 2008, a victim told the Diocese he'd been abused by Huff in the 1980s at St. Gabriel.
In 2015, Huff is said to have gone to an alter server training at St. Joseph in New Castle and was heard asking a teenage boy to go to a Pirates game with him.
Service History:
May 1973: Ordained
May 1973: North American Martyrs, Monroeville
June 1983: St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Whitehall
January 1987: St. Anthony, Bessemer
June 1991: St. Anselm, Swissvale
February 1992: Leave of absence
November 1992: Office for Chaplaincies and Campus Ministry
January 1993: Leave of absence
February 1993: Resigned
•••
JOYCE, EDWARD (deceased; 1915-69) – Joyce allegedly abused at least one boy in the late 1960. Caught by another priest, Joyce was reassigned to an all-girls school.
In December 2002, a man alleged that from 1966-68, he and Joyce would give each other massages that progressed to naked massages and touching. Another priest allegedly caught them in a "compromising position," and Joyce was reassigned to an all-girls school.
A woman requested her records from St. Joseph in 2010 and alleged "troubling information" about Joyce, but no records existed describing the information.
Service History:
June 1940: Ordained
March 1941: St. James, Wilkinsburg
December 1946: St. Andrew, North Side, Pittsburgh
June 1955: St. Titus, Aliquippa
July 1959: St. Joseph, Sharpsburg
July 1963: St. Joseph, North Side, Pittsburgh
August 1968: Sisters of St. Francis, Mt. Assisi
•••
JUSTI, MARVIN (deceased; 1933-2009) – Allegedly sexually harassed a woman from her teenage years until the 1980s.
In August 2016, a woman said that she cared for Justi at Sewickley Valley Hospital as a teenage nursing student, indicating he became aroused during a sponge bath and insisted she wash his genitals. In 1982, Justi sought physical therapy at an Ambridge facility where the woman worked. Allegedly undressed and refused to put his clothes on. In 1985, he went to her house unannounced and she allowed him inside. Allegedly went to the restroom and came out naked and freshly shaven. Records contained little to no documentation of an investigation.
Service History:
June 1958: Ordained
1958: St. Fidelis Seminary
1969: Quigley High School, Ambridge
1972: Good Sheppard Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kan.
1980: St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Ambridge
2002: St. Joseph Church, Cabot, Winfield
•••
KACZMARCZYK, BERNARD (deceased; 1929-unknown) – Abused three brothers in the early 1990s at a Donora rectory and at his Florida home where they lived for several years. Suspended in 1998.
A woman reported in 1994 reported that Kaczmarczyk sexually abused her three nephews beginning in at least 1992, and he had been a lifelong family friend. One boy once awoke to find Kaczmarczyk performing oral sex on him. The children and their mother moved to Florida with him, and the mother left the two oldest with him when she moved home. He made one boy make a "Consecration to the Mystical Rose" and had him wear a rosary ring on his left hand. Wanted the boy to renew vows every year, gave him wine to help him sleep and did not want him looking at girls.
Service history: May 1957: Ordained
June 1957: St. Robert Bellarmine, East McKeesport
October 1959:St. Ladislaus, Natrona, Harrison
May 1961: St. Adalbert, South Side, Pittsburgh
September 1967: St. Stanislaus, Ambridge
September 1968: Holy Family, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
March 1970: Holy Name of Mary, Donora
October 1992: Leave of absence
February 1994: Faculties withdrawn
November 1997: Halfway house
June 1998: Suspended
•••
KARABIN, JOSEPH D. (born 1947) – Accused of abuse at least three times in the 1980s. Prompted then-Bishop Donald Wuerl to write a letter to the Vatican in 1989 detailing his policies for dealing with sexual abuse. Continued receiving stipend through at least 2007.
First accused in March 1980 and was sent to a treatment center by Bishop Vincent Leonard. Another child came forward in March 1985, and Karabin said that if he was made a pastor, he would stop "acting out." Received treatment at St. Luke Institute in 1985. In April 1989, the Western Regional Office of Children, Youth and Families advised Wuerl that the Diocese was a mandated reporter of child abuse. In June 1989, Wuerl wrote the Vatican detailing the Diocesan policies for dealing with sexual abuse.
A third abuse reported surfaced in 1991. In 1993, Karabin requested assignment to a parish. A 1997 note in Diocesan records mentioned an allegation made by a "college youth" at Braddock Hospital.
Wuerl withdrew Karabin's faculties in 2002.
Service history:
May 1974: Ordained
1974: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Midland
1979: St. Joan of Arc, Library
1980: St. Joseph the Worker, New Castle
1980: Holy Name, Duquesne
1981: St. Albert the Great, Baldwin
1986: Braddock Hospital, Braddock
•••
KEEGAN, JOHN – (deceased; 1925-unknown)
Summary: Six adult men reported in 2014 that Keegan fondled their genitals or performed sexual acts on them with his hand from 1957 through 1961 at North Catholic High School.
Service history:
Unknown
•••
KRAWCZYK, HENRY – (born 1952)
Summary: Krawczyk allegedly provided alcohol and marijuana to children on multiple occasions and made sexual advances on them from 1986 through 2003 in Pittsburgh and Munhall. Two brothers said in 2006 that their younger brother passed out after getting drunk and high with the priest and woke up to find Krawczyk performing oral sex on him. The younger man committed suicide in 2006.
Service history:
Sept. 1978: Ordained
Oct. 1978: St. Mary, McKeesport
June 1983: Our Lady of Joy, Pittsburgh
June 1988: St. Therese, Munhall
Oct. 1992: St. Maximillian, Homestead
June 2003 – present: Administrative Leave
•••
KRYSTON, EDWARD – (born 1946)
Summary: Kryston allegedly grabbed several middle school-age girls by the buttocks at school dances, invited them to spend time with him alone in various settings and kept a photo of one of them on his wall. The incidents took place from 1984 through 1995.
Service history:
May 1974: Ordained
May 1974: St. Luke, Carnegie
June 1979: St. John, Unity
Oct. 1980: St Pius X, Pittsburgh
July 1984: St. Martin, Pittsburgh
June 1988: Our Lady of Joy, Holiday Park, Plum
June 1989: Holy Trinity, Moon Run
Jan. 1996: Leave of Absence
Sept. 1996: St. Albert the Great, Baldwin
Feb. 2002: Administrative leave
•••
KUMAR, ANUJIT – (born 1954)
Summary: A girl reported in 2008 that Kumar kissed her on her lips several times, asked for her phone number and gave her a gift. He told the clergy that he had been trying to "recruit her for the convent."****Service history:
April 2002: India
Sept. 2008: Missionary, St. Joan of Arc, South Park
•••
KURUTZ, GEORGE – (deceased; 1917-1977)
Summary: A woman said in a 1996 letter that Kurutz molested her and her sister in the late 1950s and early 1960s, lying next to her in a bed and fondling her under her shirt. The woman said she and her sister once walked in on their mother performing oral sex on Kurutz.
Service history:
June 1944: Ordained
Sept. 1944: St. Stephen, Pittsburgh
Nov. 1944: St. Joseph, West Aliquippa/St. Catherine Parish, Wireton
June 1952: St. George, South Side
June 1955: Holy Trinity, McKeesport
Oct. 1955: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa
April 1960: Our Lady of Consolation, Nemacolin/St. Mary Parish,
Crucible/Sacred Heart, Rices Landing
May 1961: St. Lawrence O'Toole, Pittsburgh
May 1965: St. Michael, New Castle
June 1967: St. Helen, East Pittsburgh
Sept. 1976: Resigned
•••
LAZAR, FIDELIS – (born 1936)
Summary: An adolescent boy reported in 1986 that Lazar kissed him and touched his genitals during overnight trips. Two other men reported in 1994 and 2002 that Lazar had abused them.
Service history:
Aug. 1963: Ordained
1966: St. Vincent, Latrobe
1970: St. Bede, Bovard
1975: Sacred Heart, St. Mary
Aug. 1976: St. Clare, Clairton
March 1981: St. Joan of Arc, Library
July 1982: St. Mary, New Castle
June 1984: St. Joseph, Bloomfield, Pittsburgh
June 1984: St. Teresa, Koppel
April 1987: Leave of Absence
Sept. 1989: Withdrew from active priestly ministry
•••
LEONARD, ALBERT (1954-) – Alleged to have had inappropriate relationships with boys.
Summary: Parents complained to the Diocese in 1989 and 1993 about Leonard's behavior with their sons, including with a 14-year-old boy and that he swam nude with boys. Leonard requested a six-month leave of absence in November 1993; in September 1994, he attempted to obtain employment with Holy Family Institute, a residential treatment facility for children. When the Diocese disclosed Leonard's sexual history with minors to the institute, he complained that it hindered his employment.
Service history:
Ordination: Unknown
1987: Parochial Vicar, St. Ursula, Allison Park
Nov. 1993: Leave of absence
•••
LEWANDOWSKI, CASIMIR F. (deceased; 1918-1978) – Alleged to have abused a woman when she was 12 years old.
Summary: In February 2016, a 64-year-old woman reported to the Diocese that Lewandowski had sexually abused her when she was 12 and he was assigned to Madonna of Czestochowa in New Castle. She recalled his erect penis and semen on her dress. The Diocese told her the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office would need to be contacted, and reimbursed her for the cost of years of therapy.
Service history:
Nov. 1945: Ordained
Dec. 1945: St. Matthew, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1946: St. Kieran, Lawrenceville
June 1953: Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1953: Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
July 1954: St. Leocadia Parish, Wilmerding
June 1955: Diocesan Charities
March 1964: Madonna of Czestochowa, New Castle
Dec. 1973: Resigned
•••
MALONEY, JOHN P. (deceased; 1938-2007) – Alleged to have taken pictures of a boy in his underwear.
Summary: In January 2004, a man reported to the Diocese that Maloney abused him when he was in the eighth grade. The man said the rectory at St. Phillip was on his paper route. He said Maloney would invite him in to sit and talk, and that Maloney sometimes took pictures of him – progressing from fully clothed to in his underwear. He said the abuse continued until he was a high school freshman. Maloney said he asked the boy to take off his shirt to show his muscles, but denied doing anything inappropriate or sexual. The Diocese placed Maloney on leave in January 2004 and he resigned as pastor at Holy Sepulcher.
Service history:
May 1964: Ordination
May 1964: Nativity of Our Lord, Pittsburgh
June 1971: St. Phillip, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1973: St. Kieran, Pittsburgh
Feb. 1979: St. Michael, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1982: Holy Sepulcher, Butler
January 2004: Placed on administrative leave, resigned
Sept. 2004: Bishop Donald Wuerl withdrew Maloney's priestly faculties
•••
MAY, JULIUS (deceased; unknown- 1970) – Alleged to have abused or attempted to abuse two boys at North Catholic High School.
Summary: In May 2011, a man reported that when he was a student at North Catholic High School in 1963-64, May, a counselor at the school, demanded to conduct a medical examination of his genitals; he refused and left the office. In May 2014, a 66-year-old man reported May inappropriately touched him when he was a North Catholic student in 1962-63. The man accused May of running his hand up his pant leg; the principal said May was just being friendly.
Service history: Unavailable
MCGEE, DOMINIC (unknown-unknown) – Allegedly masturbated and groped two boys.
Summary: Little to no information was provided to the Grand Jury on McGee. Internal memorandums said that in January 2004, a man accused McGee of masturbating him when he was a high school student in the early-to-mid 1970s at Canevin High School. The man's younger brother said McGee groped his genitals while he slept on a couch.
Service history: Unknown.
•••
MCILVANE, DONALD W. (deceased; 1925-2014) – Allegedly performed oral sex on a boy.
Summary: A 43-year-old man reported to the Diocese in July 2008 that McIlvane allegedly performed oral sex on him in 1973 when he was a third grade student at St. Richard's and served as an altar boy, and gave him $5. The man said that McIlvane performed oral sex on him at least 40 times per year from 1973 to 1977, and that McIlvane paid him with money from parish donations. In Sept. 2008, the Diocese paid the man $5,000 to help him through financial difficulties; it was not intended as a settlement of his claim. In Oct. 2008, the Diocesan Review Board determined the allegation could not be substantiated, and Bishop Zubik accepted the board's recommendation that McIlvane be restored to the ministry. The board voted that there was no truth to the man's allegations.
Service history:
June 1952: Ordained.
June 1952: St. Stephen, Pittsburgh
June 1957: St. Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh
Nov. 1960: Resurrection, Pittsburgh
June 1962: Allegheny County Jail
April 1966: St. Richard, Pittsburgh
June 1976: Corpus Christi, Pittsburgh
Nov. 1985: Presentation of Virgin Mary, Midland
June 1992: Sabbatical at St. John Fisher, Pittsburgh
Dec. 1992: Awaiting assignment at St. John Fisher, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1993: St. John Fisher, Pittsburgh
June 1994: Motherhouse at Sisters of Divine Providence, Allison Park
Sept. 2008: Leave of absence
•••
MCKENNA, THOMAS – (deceased: 1935-unknown)
Summary: Diagnosed with an attraction to teenagers, McKenna was accused of sexually assaulting at least four people, including an inmate at SCI Pittsburgh while the inmate was incarcerated. A lawsuit was filed against McKenna in that case in October 1999.
Records contain a July 1992 letter written by an unidentified priest about sexual allegations made against McKenna, which noted that two teenage brothers claimed to have been sexually assaulted by him in the 1970s. An October 1996 Diocesan memorandum documented the fact that McKenna was confronted with several allegations of improper sexual activity. In May 2002, the Diocese received a report from a woman who stated that McKenna had sexually abused her son in 1975.
Service history:
May 1972: Ordained
May 1972: St. Anselm, Swissvale
May 1973: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa.
Feb. 1978: Marian Manor Nursing
Oct. 1978: St. Maurice, Forest Hills
Nov. 1978: Leave of absence for health reasons
Feb. 1979: St. Kieran, Lawrenceville
Aug. 1992: St. John Fisher, Churchill
June 1984: Holy Innocents, Sheraden
Sept. 1986: Sewickley Valley Hospital
July 1987: Forbes Regional Hospital
Aug. 1988: St. Edward, Blawnox
May 1994: Our Lady of Fatima, Hopewell
Jan. 1998: State Correctional Institution, Pittsburgh
Aug. 1998: Allegheny University Medical Center
Oct. 1998: St. Patrick – St. Stanislaus, Pittsburgh
Sept. 2004: Withdrew from active priestly ministry
•••
MCMAHON, ALBERT – (unknown-unknown)
Summary: Was removed from active ministry based solely on the complaint of a woman who claimed "Father Albert" fondled her breasts and genitals when she was playing at St. Pamphilus when she was 11-years-old. The woman contacted the Diocese with the complaint in April 2004, and in October 2004, was sent a letter from a provincial minister in New York, where McMahon was living at the time, that said McMahon had been removed from priesthood and that he would provide the woman with access to counseling.
The Diocese offered counseling and forwarded complaints of abuse from two adult men to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office in 2014. The men both claimed that McMahon wrestled with them when they were children, and McMahon would have an erection. The Diocese ultimately provided one of the male victims with up to 90 counseling sessions for over a three year period.
No information could be located as to whether if or when McMahon was confronted with any or all of the allegations.
Service history:
Ordination: unknown
July 1961: St. Pamphilus, Beechview
Unknown to Sept. 1967: Our Lady Help of Christians, Pittsburgh
Unknown to 2004: Province of the Immaculate Conception, New York
Oct. 2004: Removed from active ministry
•••
MCMAHON, JOHN H. – (deceased; 1914-1993)
Summary: Accused with another priest, whose name was redacted from the report, of sexually assaulting a Resurrection student when the student was between 7 to 15 years old from 1969 and 1976. The alleged abuse occurred in the rectory, where the priests had private residences, and in a school cloakroom. Diocesan officials met with the now adult woman in June 2004, and said they would investigate the allegations and address them with the unidentified priest. Officials advised that if the unidentified priest denied the allegations, a Diocesan Review Board would make a ruling on his ministry suitability.
Service history:
June 1940: Ordination
Dec. 1940: Holy Family, Latrobe
Jan. 1942: St. Mary Mercy, Pittsburgh
June 1953: St. John the Baptist, Pittsburgh
June 1957: St. Sylvester, Brentwood
Feb. 1958: St. Peter, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1960: St. Catherine, Pittsburgh
June 1960: North American Martyrs, Monroeville
June 1970: Resurrection, Pittsburgh
June 1984: Retired
•••
MEDER, FRANK – (deceased; unknown-1976)
Summary: Accused of molesting at least six children at North Catholic High School in the 1950s and 1960s. Before and after the alleged actions took place, Meder would give the children snacks like chips and candy and drinks. Victims, in 2011 and 2014, contacted the Diocese to report that they were fondled, spanked, and made to sit on Meder's lap. The alleged actions mostly took place in Meder's office. The Diocese offered counseling to the victims, but they declined. The victims were told that the incidents would be reported to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and to the Provincial for the Marianist community.
Service history: unavailable, Marianist Community
•••
MERRELL, ARTHUR R. (DOB unknown)
Summary: The Diocese in 1997 received a report that Merrell had inappropriately touched a boy under the age of 15. Merrell admitted to the act and withdrew from the ministry in February 1998. The Diocese did not forward the information to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
In a confidential memorandum dated July 2014, Rita Flaherty of the Diocese recounted a meeting with Merrell wherein he minimized his inappropriate actions with minors and asked the Diocese for money. The Diocese granted Merrell's request for a "charitable gift of money" in the sum of $5,000. In 2015, Merrell requested another sum of money from the Diocese.
Service history:
1970: Ordained
Not specified: Allegheny County Jail and Shuman Juvenile Detention Center
Feb. 1998: Resigned
•••
MUELLER, JOSEPH – (deceased; 1936-2010)
Summary: Accused of sexual misconduct with two teenage boys, including a 13-14-year-old when the boy spent the night with Mueller at the Holy Spirit rectory. The allegation was made in April 1986 to Father Wilt, Pastor at St. Bernard.
In December 1986, in a letter to the Diocese, St. Luke's stated that that they stood by their recommendation that Mueller "not work with children or adolescents." As of November 1988, Mueller's faculties were withdrawn. In a confidential memorandum to Bishop Wuerl, it was suggested that Mueller was "unassignable."****In a November 1988 letter to Mueller, he was presented with three options: 1) Enroll in an interim program at St. Luke's to assist with the vocational discernment process; 2) Withdraw from active ministry; or 3) Petition the Holy See for a dispensation from the obligations of priesthood.
Service history:
June 1983: Ordained
July 1983: St. Bernard, Mt. Lebanon
July 1984: Holy Spirit, West Mifflin
June 1986: Cardinal Wright Center
Jan. 1987: St.John Hospital
Nov. 1988: Administrative Leave
Feb. 2003: Withdrew from Active Ministry
•••
O'CONNELL, LAWRENCE - (deceased; 1906-86) Alleged to have sexually abused multiple girls who worked with him in the rectory.
Summary: O'Connell was named in multiple lawsuits against the diocese in 2004. The diocese paid one of the victims to receive counseling through the church.
Service history:
June 1930: Ordained
July 1930: Annunciation, North Side, Pittsburgh
July 1948: Master Dolorosa, Chicora
June 1952: St. Gabriel, Whitehall
June 1983: Resigned
•••
O'DONNELL, THOMAS M. (1934-unknown): Alleged to have inappropriate contact, including watching young boys shower and requiring naked weigh-ins, with student athletes from the late 1980s until the early 2000s.
Summary: Dozens of families made complaints about O'Donnell over the time the abuse was happening. He was eventually removed from the school and ordered not to be around children. In January 2014 he received a letter of good standing from the diocese that said no accusations of misconduct have ever been made against him.
Service history:
May 1960: Ordained
June 1960: St. Kieran, Lawrenceville
May 1964: St. John the Evangelist, Pittsburgh
June 1966: St. Norbert, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1971: St. Clare, Clairton
May 1975: Annunciation, Pittsburgh
June 1983: St. Wendelin, Carrick
July 2000: St. Maximilian Kolbe, Homestead
Sept. 2001: St. John Vianney, Pittsburgh
Nov. 2005: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Pittsburgh
Aug. 2006: St. Mary of Mercy, Pittsburgh
July 7, 2014 – present: Epiphany, Pittsburgh
•••
O'MALLEY, WILLIAM P III - (deceased; 1944-2008): Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors in the 1980s and 1990s.
Summary: O'Malley was given a leave of absence in 1998 to receive treatment at several different hospitals and institutions. He was diagnosed with "ephebophilia," based on his admitted sexual interest in adolescents and was at a high risk for seeking emotional gratification with adolescents. He was later appointed as a Canonical Consultant in the Tribunal of the Diocese. He resigned in 2003.
Service history:
May 1970: Ordained
June 1970: St. Jerome, Charleroi
May 1973: St. Canice, Knoxville, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1978: St. Francis de Sales, McKees Rocks
March 1982: St. Paul, Butler
Nov. 1985: St. Conrad, Meridian
Aug. 1992: Tribunal, Diocese of Pittsburgh
Aug. 1995: Devine Mercy, Beaver Falls
June 1997: St. Irenaeus, Oakmont
Dec. 1997: Requested Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons
Nov. 1998: Canonical Consultant Tribunal, Diocese of Pittsburgh,
May 2003: Withdrawn from active priestly ministry
•••
PAONE, ERNEST -
Alleged to have sexually abused multiple minors beginning in the 1950s. He was assigned to five area parishes over the next nine years. He was placed on a leave of absence from May 1966 to February 2001, but did ministry in Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas.
Summary: The Pittsburgh diocese placed Paone on administrative leave in 2002. He resigned from the ministry in 2003 after more allegations came to light.
Service history:
1957: Ordained
June 1957: St. Titus, Aliquippa
Dec. 1960: Epiphany, Uptown Pittsburgh
May 1961: Mother of Sorrows, McKees Rocks
Oct. 1961: St. Monica, Wampum; St. Theresa, Koppel
May 1962: Madonna of Jerusalem, Sharpsburg
May 1966: Leave of absence for health reasons
Sept. 1966: Ministry in Los Angeles & San Diego, Calif. and Las Vegas
Feb. 2001: Retired from active ministry
•••
PARME, GEORGE - (deceased; 1923-2002)
Alleged to have sexually abused an altar boy in 1954.
Summary: On October 1, 2007, the victim signed a document releasing the Diocese and other church-related parties, of all responsibility regarding the abuse. The Diocese agreed to pay a total amount of $1.25 million to 31 plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Service history:
June 1948: Ordained
July 1948: St. Peter, Butler
Feb. 1952: St. Aloysius, Wilmerding
Jan. 1957: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Midland
Aug. 1958: No Assignment
Oct. 1958: Most Holy Name, Troy Hill
Jan. 1960: No Assignment, in residence at St. Patrick, Strip District
June 1960: St. Catherine, Beechview
Oct. 1963: St. Agnes, Oakland
Dec. 1963: St. Joseph, North Side, Pittsburgh
May 1964: Mt. Nazareth Academy, Bellevue
Jan. 1968: Mother of Good Council, Brushton
Nov. 1969: St. Louis and St. Pascal, Argentine
Nov. 1974: St. Cecilia, Glassport
•••
PINDEL, PAUL E.- (deceased; 1924-1991): Alleged to have sexually abused multiple children from the late 1950s to the 1980s.
Summary: The Diocese received multiple reports of the abuse over several years. The Diocese offered one victim who came forward in 2011 assistance in finding counseling services and provided reimbursement for treatment.
Service history:
May 1951: Ordained
June 1951: St. Stanislaus, Ambridge
Dec. 1952: St. John Cantius, Sharpsburg
Dec. 1953: St. Robert Bellarmine, East McKeesport
June 1957: Holy Family, Pittsburgh
June 1959: Holy Angels, Hays
Dec. 1960: St. William, East Pittsburgh
June 1966: St. Martin, Pittsburgh
March 1969: St. Rose of Lima, Darlington; St. Ann, New Galilee
Nov. 1971: Gilmary School, Coraopolis
Oct. 1973: St. Genevieve, Canonsburg
Dec. 1985: St. Hyacinth, Pittsburgh
July 1989: Leave of absence, brain tumor
•••
PUCCI, FRANCIS – (deceased; 1931-2002)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted multiple minor boys from the early 1960s through the late 1980s. Summary: In 1989, the Washington County district attorney charged Pucci and two other priests - Richard F. Zula and Robert Wolk - with more than 150 counts of abusing two brothers who served as altar boys. The sexual assaults allegedly happened from 1981-87 in a barn, church basement, parked car and at a mountain resort. Some of the incidents involved whips chains, drugs and alcohol. All three priests were relieved of their duties and the charges against Pucci were dropped because the statute of limitations had expired.
Service history:
May 1957: Ordained
June 1957: St. Vitus, New Castle
Nov. 1961: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Braddock
June 1962: St. Vitus, New Castle
May 1965: St. Mary, McKeesport
June 1966: Epiphany, Uptown Pittsburgh
June 1968: Lawrenceville Catholic
March 1969: South Side Catholic, Consolidation
June 1970: St. Januarius, Renton, Plum
May 1972: St. Eugene, Liberty Boro
July 1973: Purification, Ellwood City
Oct. 1980: St. Joseph, Coraopolis
Sept. 1981: St. Alphonsus, McDonald
July 1984: Our Lady of Lourdes, Burgettstown
Feb. 1987: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa
Oct. 1987: Leave of absence for health reasons
Feb. 1992: Retired
•••
REBEL, JOHN W. – (deceased; 1937-2013)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted a boy in the 1970s at the boy's home after a "home mass."****Summary: Parents of the boy met with diocese officials in 2009 after their son had died and reported their son told them about the abuse years after it happened. Rebel denied the allegations. The diocese in 2009 gave the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office information about allegations made against priests and included those against Rebel.
Service history:
May 1965: Ordination
May 1965: St. Bernard, Mt. Lebanon
June 1967: St. Veronica, Ambridge
Aug. 1967: St. Joseph, Verona
Sept. 1968: St. Michael, Elizabeth
May 1973: Leave of absence
June 1973: St. Kieran, Lawrenceville
Aug. 1974: Assumption, Bellevue
Nov. 1976: St. Margaret Mary, Moon Township
June 1981: St. Anselm, Swissvale
July 1982: St. Killian, Mars
July 2001: St. Bartholomew, Penn Hills
Second Semester of 2001-2002 - Sabbatical
Jan. 2002: Sabbatical at North American College in Rome
July 2002: St. James the Apostle, Bedford
•••
RHODEN, RAYMOND R. – (deceased; 1950-2006)
Alleged to have sexually abused a boy multiple times at his home between 1976-77.
Summary: The parents reported the abuse to diocese officials in 2002. They said they previously reported the allegations to Bishop John McDowell, but never heard from him. Rhoden admitted to diocesan officials that he sexually abused the boy.
Service history:
Oct. 1976: Ordained
Nov. 1976: Nativity of Our Lord, Pittsburgh
July 1982: St. Francis of Assisi, Finleyville
Aug. 1988: Monongahela Valley Catholic High School, Monongahela
June 1989: Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School, Coraopolis
June 1989: St. Joseph, Coraopolis
Oct. 1992: St. Philip Neri, Donora
Oct. 1992: Our Lady of the Valley, Donora
June 1997: St. James, Sewickley
May 2002: Administrative Leave
July 2002: Withdrew from active priestly ministry; Retired
•••
ROEMELE, CARL – (deceased; 1934-unknown)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted multiple boys in the 1960s.
Summary: Roemele reportedly abused the minors at a cabin and St. Joseph church in Mt. Oliver. He denied the allegations when diocese officials confronted him. He resigned from ministry in 1976.
Service history:
May 1963: Ordained
May 1963: St. Joseph, Mt. Oliver
May 1964: St. Alexis, Wexford
June 1966: St. William, Pittsburgh
Aug. 1967: St. Joseph, Duquesne
May 1972: St. Agatha, Bridgeville
Sept. 1975: Allegheny Community College, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1975: Epiphany, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1975: Allegheny County Jail, Pittsburgh
Feb. 1976: Leave of absence; voluntary laicization
•••
ROMERO, MICHAEL C. – (deceased; 1937-2000)
Alleged to have abused a minor at Immaculate Conception church and school.
Summary: The victim reported Romero abused him through grade school and his freshman year at high school, encouraging him to drink alcohol and giving him gifts that included a ski jacket and sweat suit. At one point Romaro allegedly took him to Cleveland and got him so drunk that he couldn't remember what happened. Another time, Romaro allegedly took him to a racetrack and bought him alcohol. The victim said he's struggled with alcohol and drug addiction throughout his life.
Service history:
Oct. 1977: Ordained
Oct. 1977: North American Martyrs, Monroeville
Feb. 1978: Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa.
July 1982: St. Veronica, Ambridge
June 1985: St. Basil, Carrick
March 1990: Leave of absence
•••
ROMARO, OSWALD E. – (deceased; 1919-1997)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted a teenage boy in 1966 or 1967.
Summary: The victim contacted the Pittsburgh diocese in 2006 alleging Romero abused him while giving him driving lessons at a Pittsburgh park. The man said he suffered severe depression and drug abuse as a result.
Service history:
1955: St. Francis Borja HS, Quito, Ecuador
1961: Jesuit College & University, Quito, Ecuador
1961: Catholic University, Quito, Ecuador
1966: University of Pittsburgh
1977: St. Joseph House of Hospitality, Pittsburgh
1993: Retired
1991-1997: St. Mary of Mercy, Pittsburgh
•••
SCHARF, DAVID – (born 1957)
In December 2002, several men and boys alleged to the diocese that Scharf massaged their feet and had a foot fetish. He took a leave of absence to attend a residential treatment program in 2003, but left without successfully completing the program in 2005. While at the halfway house, Scharf admitted to massaging the feet of minors and later masturbating to images of the feet. He requested to re-enter the ministry in 2007 and 2008 but was denied.
Service history:
May 1985: Ordained
June 1985: St. Michael Archangel, Butler
June 1987: Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township
Feb. 1992: Our Lady of Fatima, Hopewell Township
Jan. 1997: St. Robert Bellarmine, East McKeesport
Aug. 1998: Sabbatical
Jan. 1999: St. Hugh, Carmichaels
Dec. 1999: St. Philomena, Beaver Falls
Nov. 2003: Leave of absence
Aug. 2009 – Undetermined: Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden
•••
SCHERER, RICHARD – (deceased; 1924-2007)
Alleged to have sexually molested a girl who was a student at St. Anne in Castle Shannon between 1957 and 1961. The woman reported it to the diocese in 1991. In 1965, a man who had counseled Scherer at a retreat in Minnesota said Scherer had said he suffered a nervous breakdown and that his involvement with the "young lady" was part of his emotional escape.
Service history:
June 1949: Ordained
June 1949: St. Charles, Donora
June 1954: St. Anne, Castle Shannon
March 1964: St. Coleman, Turtle Creek
Feb. 1965: St. Patrick, Canonsburg
June 1965: Sick Leave
May 1968: Chaplain, Holy Cross Hospital, Diocese of Miami, Fla.
1992: Retired
•••
SCHULTZ, RAYMOND T. – (deceased; 1922-1999)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted an elementary school boy in Beaver 10 to 15 times. The man reported it to the diocese in 2009. The diocese was unable to confirm the allegation. About six years ago, the victim told the Beaver County District Attorney's Office of the abuse, but officials there said nothing could be done because of the statute of limitations, the victim said. Part of the summary was redacted due to ongoing appellate litigation, it said.
Service history:
June 1947: Ordained
July 1947: St. Mary, Kittanning
Jan. 1949: St. Leonard, Monessen
June 1950: Holy Rosary, Homewood
June 1955: St. Margaret, Green Tree
June 1957: Catholic Information Center, Diocese
Dec. 1964: St. Richard, Pittsburgh
April 1966: Sts. Peter & Paul, Beaver
•••
SILER, FRANCIS – (deceased; 1937-2015)
Alleged to have "sexual problems with adolescents" in 1972, causing Bishop Leonard to move him from a church in Mt. Lebanon to a church in Aliquippa. He was alleged to have sexually assaulted several boys while at the Aliquippa church.
Service history:
May 1963: Ordained
May 1963: Nativity, Broughton
June 1970: St. Bernard, Mt. Lebanon
Dec. 1972: St. Titus, Aliquippa
Aug. 1974: Leave of absence
May 1975: St. Catherine, Wildwood
Oct. 1976: St. Margaret, New Castle
Feb. 1983: St. Catherine, Wildwood
May 1984: St. Agnes, West Mifflin
July 1985: Leave of absence for health reasons
Feb. 1986: Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, Harrison
Sept. 1987: St. Mary Mercy, Pittsburgh
Feb. 2002: Leave of absence
July 2002: Withdrew from active ministry
•••
SILVERS, RUDOLPH M. – (born 1949)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted several boys in the 1970s. He denied the allegations. The diocese paid about $1,000 for 10 weeks for one victim's counseling. Silvers was placed on administrative leave after a review of his confidential files in 2002. Later that year, Silvers asked to withdraw from active ministry. Wuerl approved.
Service history:
May 1975: Ordained
May 1975: St. Sylvester, Pittsburgh
May 1980: St. Robert Bellarmine, East McKeesport
July 1982: St. Canice, Pittsburgh
June 1983: Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center
June 1986: St. Peter, Butler
Aug. 1986: St. Peter, Butler
Feb. 1994: St. Vincent de Paul, New Castle
June 1994: St. Ann, Bulger
Feb. 2002: Leave of absence
July 2002: Withdrawn from service
•••
SMITH, EDWARD P. – (deceased; unknown-1956)
Alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the rectory where he counseled her at Sacred Heart in Emsworth.
Service history:
Date of Ordination unavailable
Date Unavailable: Sacred Heart Church, Emsworth
•••
SOMMA, JAMES E. (deceased; 1934-2004) - Alleged to have molested multiple minors in the 1980s and 1990s.
Summary: A lawsuit from one victim, a female, was dismissed based upon the statute of limitations. The diocese offered to pay for counseling for two male victims and was made aware of allegations made by four other potential victims. "I didn't think I knew what was happening at the time," one of the victims wrote.
Service history:
May 1959: Ordained
July 1959: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ellwood City
April 1964: St. Pius V, McKeesport
May 1964: Archdiocese for Military Services, Washington, D.C.
June 1984: St. Aloysius, Pittsburgh
May 1985: Nativity, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1992: Holy Trinity, West Mifflin
Feb. 1994: Forbes Regional Hospital- Monroeville, St. Michael, Pitcairn
•••
SORENSON, BARTLEY A. (deceased; 1949- unknown) — Serving a 97 month federal prison term after pleading guilty to child pornography charges in 2012.
Summary: A woman caught Sorenson viewing child pornography on his office computer and made a report to the diocese, which placed him on administrative leave and removed his priestly faculties.
Service history:
Oct. 1976: Ordained
Nov. 1976: St. Ferdinand, Cranberry
June 1981: St. Colman, Turtle Creek
June 1983: St. James, Sewickley
Feb. 1985: St. Valentine, Bethel Park
June 1990: Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Natrona Heights
June 1992: Mater Dolorosa, Chicora
Sept. 1995: St. Joseph, Chicora
Sept. 1995: Mater Dolorosa
Sept. 1999: St. Victor, Bairdford, West Deer
Feb. 2004: West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh
Feb. 2011: St. Ann, Pittsburgh
Nov. 2011: St. John Fisher, Pittsburgh
•••
SPAGENBERG, ROBERT E. (deceased; 1947-2006) — Alleged to have been involved with at least two minors in the 1980s.
Summary: One victim alleges Spagenberg promoted street prostitution with young boys known as "hustlers" and that the priest paid a finder's fee to locate younger hustlers, known as "chickens" for sex. He would pay for the sex with money from the collection box and/or drugs and alcohol. The diocese and the Spiritan order are paying for therapy and other services to one of the victims.
Service history:
June 1974: Ordained
1974: Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Bensalem
Unknown: St. Mary Detroit, Mich.
Unknown: St. Anthony Millvale
1977: Unknown ministry, North Carolina
1979: St. Mary, Sharpsburg
1980: St. Francis de Sale High School, Chicago
1982: St. Stanislaus, Pittsburgh
1984: St. Anthony, Millvale
1989: Superior of the Congregation Retirement home, Sarasota, Fla.
1990: St. Patrick, Charleston, S.C.
1993: St. Peter Claver, Philadelphia
1994: St. James, Hamlet, N.C.
1997: Epiphany, Pittsburgh
2002: Director of Retirement community, Sarasota, Fla.
2003: Retired
•••
SPISAK, PAUL G. (born 1944) — Admitted to the diocese in 1998 that he'd been struggling with viewing pornography for "several years"; withdrew from active priesthood in 2002 for personal reasons; removed from ministry in 2003, "in light of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor which are deemed to be established," according to then-Bishop Donald Wuerl.
Summary: Parish staff members found pornography owned by Spisak in 1998, including suggestive photos of him vacationing with young boys. Spisak was evaluated and went into therapy, but remained an active priest. In 2006, Spisak pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after taking a picture of a person in a public restroom in the South Hills. He flushed the memory card after being caught, but admitted to police that he has a "sexual fixation with the male buttocks."****Service history:
May 1973: Ordained
May 1973: St. Mary of the Mount, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1978: St. Benedict the Abbot, McMurray
Oct. 1980: Sacred Heart, Pittsburgh
Nov. 1981: St. Dominic, Donora
June 1988: St. Charles, Donora
June 1990: St. Philip, Pittsburgh
Feb. 1994: St. Andrew, Butler
Feb. 1998: St. Mary, Cecil
July 2000: Chaplain Nursing Home, Allison Park
July 2000: Chaplain Nursing Home, Pittsburgh
May 2003: Removed from ministry
•••
STEBLER, LAWRENCE F. (deceased; 1934-1997) — Alleged to have abused a boy for about three years in the 1960s. The diocese paid $1,000 for counseling and therapy for the victim.
Summary: While at St. Hilary in Washington, Pa., Stebler would visit a family and tuck the boy into bed while "blessing his organs" according to a statement from the victim, who attempted suicide twice and has flashbacks indicative of post traumatic stress disorder.
Service history:
May 1963: Ordained
May 1963: St. Hilary, Washington, Pa.
Aug. 1967: Our Lady of Fatima, Hopewell Township
Dec. 1969: St. Stephen, Hazelwood
June 1988: St. Victor, Bairdford, West Deer
Jan. 1996: Leave of absence
June 1996: St. Theresa of Avila, Perrysville
•••
TERDINE, RICHARD GERARD (born 1938) — Alleged to have inappropriately touched a 16-year-old boy in 1988 and giving the boy pornography and condoms.
Summary: Diocesan officials met with Terdine after the allegation, who denied the touching but admitted to giving the pornography and condoms. A 1990 evaluation by the St. Luke Institute found Terdine "does not have a sexual behavior disorder." He was placed on restrictive ministry and assigned as a hospital chaplain until retiring.
Service history:
May 1965: Ordained
May 1965: St. Vitus, New Castle
Dec. 1965: St. Scholastica, Aspinwall
Sept. 1967: Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township
June 1968: St. Lawrence O'Toole, Garfield, Pittsburgh
June 1970: Epiphany, Uptown, Pittsburgh
Sept. 1971: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh
May 1972: St. Basil, Carrick
Aug. 1973: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
May 1974: Intermediate Schools Unit
Nov. 1986: St. Peter, McKeesport
Jan. 1989: Cardinal Wright Center/ Without Assignment
Nov. 1989: Leave of absence
July 1990: UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh
June 1996: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh
July 2009: UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh
June 2012 – Present: St John Vianney Manor, Pittsburgh
•••
THOMAS, CHARLES (deceased; 1909-67)
Alleged to have several times fondled, shown pornographic materials to and had sex with a minor when he was assigned to St. Hugh beginning in 1958. The victim alleged that a nun "helped" Thomas and had sexually assaulted him on additional occasions.
Summary: The Diocese of Pittsburgh paid the victim $15,042 for private psychiatric counseling sessions from 2011-2016.
Service history:
June 1935: Ordained
1935: St. Killian, Mars
1937: St. Peter, Pittsburgh
March 1940: St. Wendelin, Carrick
1940: St. Martin, Pittsburgh
1941; St. Mary Mercy, Pittsburgh
1944: St. Coleman, Turtle Creek
1952: St. Hugh, Carmichaels
1952: St. Marcullus, Pittsburgh
1957; St. Paul, Butler
Aug. 1965: St. Christopher, Prospect
1965: St. Robert Bellarmine, Pittsburgh
June 1966: Resigned
•••
WELLINGER, JOHN WILLIAM (deceased: 1944-2011)
The Diocese sent Wellinger to St. Luke's Institute for drug and alcohol abuse in 1986 after he provided alcohol and drugs to an 18-year-old parishioner of the Holy Spirit church. In 1991, Wellinger allegedly admitted performing oral sex on a 24-year-old man in the rectory.
Summary: A victim's allegations of sexual abuse became part of a larger lawsuit accusing the Diocese of conspiracy to cover up the sexual abuse of minors. In 2007, Bishop Paul Bradley settled the lawsuit, which included accusations from 32 individuals against 17 priests, for $1.25 million.
Service history:
May 1970: Ordained
June 1970: St. Wendelin, Pittsburgh
May 1975: Graduate Studies in Theology, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
June 1977: St. Athanasius, West View
Sept. 1979: Pontifical College Josephinum, Worthington, Ohio
June 1980: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Pittsburgh
June 1981; St. James, Wilkinsburg
July 1985: St. Clare, Clairton
Jan. 1987: Our Lady of Grace, Scott Township
June 1987: Holy Spirit, West Mifflin
Aug. 1987: Campus Ministries, Community College of Allegheny County, South Campus, West Mifflin, PA
June 1991; Resignation for reasons of health
Jan. 1992; St. George, Allentown
Feb. 1994: St. Philip, Crafton
May 1995: Resigned for personal reasons
May 1995: Leave of absence
Jan. 2003: Placed on Administrative Leave
March 2003: Declared de facto withdrawn from active ministry
•••
WICHMANOWSKI, JOSEPH S. (deceased, 1919-1977)
While at St. Stanislaus Parish in Ambridge, Wichmanowski allegedly provided a girl, starting at the age 12, with church wine and forced her to perform sexual acts on him and made her dress provocatively. The victim alleged that he invited her to New York where he wanted to impregnate her.
Summary: The victim and 31 other victims of alleged abuse were part of a settlement with the church for payments totaling $1.2 million.
Service history:
Unknown: Ordained
July 1944: St. Mary, McKeesport
Dec. 1945: Holy Cross, Glassport
Oct. 1946: St. Albert, South Side, Pittsburgh
May 1949: St. John Cantius, Sharpsburg
Dec. 1952: St. Stanislaus, Ambridge
June 1957: Allegheny County Workhouse
June 1962: St. Cyprian, Pittsburgh
Feb. 1969: St. Stanislaus, Ambridge
•••
WILT, GEORGE A. (born 1931)
Wilt allegedly inappropriately kissed and embraced adult women and teenage girls.
Summary: A diocesan memo in 2003 contained information that Wilt denied kissing eighth grade girls on the lips or inappropriately touching adult women.
Service history:
May 1959: Ordained
June 1959: Sacred Heart, Pittsburgh
March 1968: St Bernard, Pittsburgh
•••
WOLK, ROBERT G. – (born 1940)
He was charged with sexually assaulting two altar boys in addition to other reports of sexual misconduct.
Summary
On January 24, 1990, Wolk pled guilty in Allegheny County to four counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and to corruption of minors. He was sentenced to five to 10 years. A clinical psychologist testified on Wolk's behalf and she he suffered from a compulsive attraction to adolescents which the psychologist "likened to alcoholism."****Service history:
May 1966: Ordained
June 1966: St. Athanasius, West View
Sept. 1972: Attended Catholic University of America
May 1974: Diocese of Pittsburgh
July 1979: La Roche College, McCandless
May 1986: St. Thomas More Church, Bethel Park
Sept. 1987: Resigned
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YOCKEY, WILLIAM B. (born 1952)
Allegations against Yockey began in 1991 when a 25-year-old man who alleged he was sexually molested by Yockey at the age of 16 and another boy at the age of 18. Both boys reported of being drunk and falling asleep and waking to Yockey fondling their genitals and trying to kiss him.
Summary: The diocese put Yockey on administrative leave from his assignment as chaplain of the Allegheny County Jail. On July 18, 1991, Yockey sent a letter of resignation to Bishop Donald Wuerl.
Service history:
Oct. 1977: Ordained
Oct. 1977: Assumption Church, Bellevue
Oct. 1978: St. Bernadette, Monroeville
June 1983; Department of Social & Community Development, Diocese of Pittsburgh
June 1983: St. Canice, Pittsburgh
June 1984: St. Therese of Lisieux, Munhall
Feb. 1986: St. Winifred, Mt. Lebanon
Oct. 1987: Allegheny County Jail
Jan. 1989: St. Luke, Carnegie
April 1989: St. Anthony, Bridgeville
July 1991: Leave of absence, withdrawn from Active Ministry
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ZABOWSKI, THEODORE P. (born 1943)
Alleged to have touched and shared a bed with minor boys in the 1970s.
Summary: According to an internal Diocese of Pittsburgh document titled "Chronology of Father Zabowski," an allegation of abuse was made against Zabowski in 1995 stemming from events that occurred between 1975 and 1979. According to the allegations, Zabowski fondled a boy after wrestling with him and telling him to remove his clothing. Zabowski also allegedly, according to a confidential memorandum, admitted to sharing his bed with boys for "companionship." In a letter dated June 26, 2003 Zabowski informed Bishop Wuerl that the "therapy helped him deal with allegations of placing himself with adolescent boys in a sexually inappropriate manner, gave him the ability to deal with and yes, overcome the sexual ignorance and social backwardness of his life." Zaboski was placed on administrative leave in 1995 after the allegations were made.
Service history:
May 1970: Ordained
June 1970: St. Lawrence O'Toole, Garfield
May 1975: Most Holy Name, North Side, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1980: Holy Family, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
Jan. 1981: St. Catherine of Sweden, Wildwood
Jan. 1982: St. Mary, Glenshaw
June 1985: St. Adalbert, South Side, Pittsburgh
Oct. 1992: St. Richard, Richland Township
Jan. 1996: Leave of absence
Sept. 1996; Immaculate Conception, Washington, Pa.
July 2000: Leave of absence
July 2002: Withdrew from ministry
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ZIRWAS, GEORGE
Accused of being a member of a ring of pedophile priests who "used whips, violence and sadism in raping their victims," and produced child pornography on Diocesan property.
Summary: Zirwas was first accused of sexually abusing children in 1987 but was continuously reassigned following allegations until his death in Cuba in 2001. The first allegation made in 1987 was met with no action by Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua. In spring of 1988 a further allegation was made, which Zirwas denied. He was evaluated at St. Francis Hospital, released, and allowed to continue ministry. Later that year two further allegations were made suggesting Zirwas had fondled a pair of boys. He was evaluated at St. Francis Hospital, released, and allowed to continue ministry. Allegations continued until Zirwas was placed on a leave of absence "for personal reasons" in 1995.
According to one victim's testimony to the Grand Jury, Zirwas was part of a ring of priests that would gift large gold crosses to boys they had molested. Those crosses served, according to the Grand Jury, as a means for other predators to tell a boy had been abused and would therefore be desensitized to further abuse.
Zirwas was murdered in his apartment in Havana, Cuba, in 2001.
Service history:
Oct. 1979: Resurrection, Brookline
May 1980: St. Adalbert, South Side
April 1981: St. Joseph the Worker, New Castle
Feb. 1982: St. Michael, Elizabeth
June 1989: St. Bartholomew, Penn Hills
Dec. 1991: St. Scholastica, Aspinwall
May 1994: St. Joseph, Verona
Dec. 1994: Leave of absence for personal reasons
July 1995: St. Maurice, Forest Hills
Nov. 1995: Leave of absence for personal reasons
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ZULA, RICHARD
Charged with over 130 counts related to child sexual abuse.
Summary: In 1987, the Diocese received notification of "violent sexual activity" Zula had engaged in with a minor at a rectory. An investigation found that Zula had been hosting parties at a rectory in Marianna involving alcohol, marijuana and "oral sex, attempt anal sex, whips." Zula was sent to a psychiatric hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. The diocese, in internal documents, said that the best course would be for Zula to be reassigned as soon as possible, but as of September of 1988 a criminal investigation began into Zula's activities.
A victim told police he had first been assaulted by another priest in 1981, before meeting Zula in 1984. During the following three years, the victim told the Grand Jury, "hat the sexual abuse occurred approximately once a week for another three years and that it included oral sex, sado-masochistic behavior, and attempts at anal sex."****Zula was arrested in November of 1988 and the allegations against him made public. In the midst of public outcry over his alleged abuse, Zula's victims were paid $900,000 by the church for their silence. In 1990, after Zula had been sentenced to state prison, the Diocese agreed to set aside $500 per month to be given to him upon his release as a lump sum. Further allegations led the Diocese to ask Zula for dispensation, for which they offered to pay him $180,000. Zula demanded $240,000. Instead, Zula was able to retire from ministry and allowed a $750 per month stipend as well as medical coverage. A further victim came forward in early 2001. In late 2001, Zula's living stipend was increased to $1,000.
Service history:
June 1966: St. Cyril of Alexandria, North Side, Pittsburgh
June 1971: Most Blessed Sacrament, Natrona Heights, Harrison
Dec. 1973: Our Lady of Czestochowa, New Castle
June 1980: St. Michael Archangel, Munhall
May 1984: Sisters of St. Mary & Ann, Marianna
June 1986: St. Clement, Tarentum
Sept. 1987: Leave of Absence (Withdrawn); admitted to the Institute of Living, Hartford, Conn.
April 1996: Withdrawn from Ministry
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