Priest on leave while church investigates accusations of ‘inappropriate contact’ with women

PITTSBURGH (PA)
Post-Gazette

May 13, 2019

By Peter Smith

A priest with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has been placed on administrative leave while the church investigates accusations of “inappropriate contact with adult women,” according to a letter by Bishop David A. Zubik to parishioners.

The letter, dated May 4, was distributed this weekend in the bulletins to the congregations of Saint Ferdinand in Cranberry, Saint Gregory in Zelienople and Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City.

In it, Bishop Zubik said the church is investigating accusations made against the Rev. James Young. The removal is not an implication of guilt, Bishop Zubik said, but will “safeguard the course of justice while preserving the rights of everyone involved.”

While on leave, Father Young is “not allowed to engage in public ministry at your parish or any place else. He cannot administer the sacraments, dress in clerical attire or identify himself as a priest,” Bishop Zubik wrote to parishioners.

Those restrictions will become permanent if the church finds that Father Young “did what he is

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