Fr. John M. Bauer

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

First named publicly in the PA Grand Jury report released 8/14/2018. In 10/2013 a man told the diocese that when he was a boy in the late 1970s-early 1980s, Bauer and another priest, Rev. Michael Romero, would give him and other boys alcohol and talk with them about masturbation. He said Bauer would also “wrestle” with him and other boys. Diocese said Bauer was not removed because the alleged victim said Bauer didn’t abuse him. The man asked for help with counseling to deal with repressed issues of sexual abuse. Bauer said the alleged victim may have been confusing him with Romero. Placed on leave after allegation received 8/30/2018 of sex abuse of a minor in the early 1980s. Bauer denied the allegations. The diocesan review board deemed allegations against Bauer credible in 11/2019. Case sent to the Vatican. Included on the diocese’s list of accused.


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