Assignment Record – Rev. Joseph D. Maurizio

PENNSYLVANIA
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: A priest of the Altoona-Johnstown diocese ordained in 1987, Maurizio worked in a number of parishes as an assistant, and was made pastor of a Central City parish in 2003. He also worked as a college chaplain. From 1999-2009 he directed Humanitarian Interfaith Ministries, through which he traveled often to Central and South American countries to visit and provide ‘relief work’ to orphanages. In 2009 a staff member at an orphanage in Honduras reportedly overheard children arguing whether to report that Maurizio had solicited them for sex. The agency overseeing the orphanage investigated, and a number of boys are said to have disclosed sexual abuse by the priest. The board’s chairwoman said she confronted Maurizio, who denied the allegations. She reportedlly also informed the Altoona-Johnstown diocese, the FBI and the Attorney General’s office. On September 16, 2014 Homeland Security agents raided Maurizio’s rectory and his residence on a Pennsylvania farm. He was placed on leave by the diocese four days later. He was arrested September 26 and charged with engaging in illicit sex in foreign countries and possession of child pornography.

Ordained: 1987

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