PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Thursday, May 31, 2012
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A Catholic priest known for interfaith work is on a voluntary leave of absence while the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County district attorney decide whether his Facebook posts or other computer use amount to sexual abuse of a minor.
The Rev. Daniel Valentine, 63, pastor of St. James parish in Sewickley, took personal leave on May 19 on the advice of diocesan officials, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the diocese. While on leave, he is not permitted to wear clerical garb or exercise public ministry.
Father Lengwin would not describe the posts. The diocese hasn’t decided if they cross the line into behavior prohibited by the church’s child protection charter, he said.
“I don’t think we’ve made a determination what this is,” Father Lengwin said.
In late April, he said, a family came to the diocese “and expressed deep concern about a posting on Facebook to one of their minor children. Having heard it, we determined that it should be turned over to the district attorney’s office.”
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