PENNSYLVANIA
Times Leader
April 07. 2014
By Mark Guydish – mguydish@civitasmedia.com
WILKES-BARRE — The Rev. Phillip Altavilla, a graduate of Bishop Hoban High School, now Holy Redeemer, is the fourth diocesan priest to face a judge on sexual misconduct charges in the last decade.
Altavilla’s hearing on three charges related to an alleged incident with a 13-year-old girl in 1998 is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday before Lackawanna County District Judge Laura Turlip.
While the number may be disheartening to members of the faith, it may also demonstrate the difference in how the Catholic Church has handled such cases since the national scandals at the turn of the millennium that prompted sweeping changes.
Police charged Altavilla last week with one count each of indecent assault, corruption of minors and criminal attempt of indecent assault, all allegedly occurring Christmas morning with a 13-year-old girl who had served midnight Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Scranton, where Altavilla was pastor at the time.
Altavilla was immediately suspended from priestly duties, including his position as pastor of St. Peter’s Cathedral. According to police, the girl called him while they listened in and Altavilla admitted he plied the girl with alcohol, fondled her feet and moved his hands up her legs.
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