Rev. Michael G. Barletta

Assignment Record– Rev. Michael G. Barletta

Summary of Case: Michael G. Barletta was ordained in 1966 for the Diocese of Erie. He spent the bulk of his career as a high school teacher while residing in local parishes. Early on he was at Kennedy Christian High in Sharon, where he established a service club called the Teenage Action Club (TAC). He was transferred in the mid-1970s to Cathedral Prep, again establishing a TAC. Barletta was reportedly a charismatic, popular teacher, nicknamed "Barts," who would take some of his students on overnight trips, including to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and his camp at Punxsutawney.

In 1994 a man told Bishop Trautman that Barletta had molested him when he was a Prep student in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Trautman removed Barletta from the school within the year and transferred him from St. Luke's parish in Erie to St. Patrick/St. Hedwig's. He was assigned to work in the diocesan office of Catholic Charities and as chaplain to Holy Family Carmelite Monastery. Also at St. Patrick/St. Hedwig's during Barletta's time there were, among others, accused priests Thomas E. Smith and Leon T. Muroski, and retired Bishop Michael J. Murphy.

In the Spring of 2002 the man who reported Barletta to the diocese in 1994 and two other men approached Bishop Trautman, all three alleging sexual abuse by Barletta in the late 1970s-early 1980s when they were Cathedral Prep students. Barletta was finally removed from active ministry in 2003. He is not indexed in the Official Catholic Directory after 2002. He is noted in 2012 and 2017 news articles to have been living in Erie and functioning as a priest at his high school reunions.

Ordained: 1966

Start	Stop	Assignments	Town/Allegations	State	Position	Notes
1966 Diocese of Erie Bishop was John Mark Gannon (1920-1966), followed by John Francis Whealon (1966-1968), then Alfred Michael Watson (1969-1982).	1970	Sacred Heart	Sharon	PA	3/4, 4/5 1966-1967: Msgr. James F. Murphy, V.F., Rev. Donald J. Scully. In res., Revs. Michael Barletta, Emanuel Krzysiek. 1967-1970: James F. Murphy, V.F., Revs. Donald J. Scully, William A. Cici. In res., Revs. Michael Barletta, Emanuel Krzysiek.	Sacred Heart had a school with 237-111 boys and 212-117 girls.
1966	1977	Kennedy Christian High School	Sharon	PA	1966-1972: Msgr. Edward H. Latimer, Headmaster. (Other faculty not named. Barletta was assigned to Kennedy just after ordination in 1966, per news reports.) 1972-1975: Rev. Andrew Karg, Headmaster; Revs. Michael Barletta; Ronald Gmerek; James Kennelley; David Dobrowolski. 1975-1977: Rev. Andrew Karg, Headmaster; Revs. Michael Barletta; Ronald Gmerek; James Kennelley; David Dobrowolski, Glenn Whitman.	Kennedy Christian had 321- 230 boys and 326-225 girls. Bartella established a service club, the Teenage Action Club (TAC) at Kennedy. Dobrowolski's name was included on the diocese's April 6, 2018 list of the credibly accused.
1970	1975	St. Joseph's	Sharon	PA	5/5, 4/4 1970-1972: Revs. James H. Weber; John M. Fischer; John Zeitler. In res., Msgr. Edward H. Latimer; Rev. Michael G. Barletta. 1972-1974: Revs. James H. Weber; John M. Fischer; John Zeitler. In res., Rev. Michael G. Barletta. 1974-1975: Revs. James H. Weber; John M. Fischer; Patrick Ott. In res., Rev. Michael G. Barletta.	St. Joseph's had a school with 322-249 students.
1975 Watson was succeeded as Erie bishop by Michael Joseph Murphy (1982-1990), followed by Donald Walter Trautman (1990-2012).	1995	The Cathedral Preparatory School	Erie • At least three men told Bishop Trautman before 2002 that Barletta molested them in the late 1970s and early 1980s when they were Cathedral Prep students and Barletta was a Prep theology teacher. They said some of the abuse occurred on trips, including to Toronto, Niagara Falls and Punxsutawney, where they said Barletta had a camp. One of them said he went to Bishop Trautman in 1994; Barletta was removed from Prep within the year and given limited ministry.	PA	1975-1976: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel; John W. Swoger, Asst. Headmasters; Rev. Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Robert Craig; Gerald Koos; Michael Barletta; Mark Nowak; Frank Przepierski; Thomas Snyderwine; Daniel Kresinski; Robert Humenay; Thaddeus Kondzielski; Raymond Hahn; Confessors: Revs. Thomas Alexa; Daniel Arnold; Martin Krepcho; Daniel McGraw; John Kinner; Dennis Hadberg. 1976-1977: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel; John W. Swoger, Asst. Headmasters; Rev. Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Robert Craig; Gerald Koos; Michael Barletta; Mark Nowak; Frank Przepierski; Daniel Kresinski; Robert Humenay; Thaddeus Kondzielski; Raymond Hahn; Confessors: Revs. Thomas Alexa; Daniel Arnold; Martin Krepcho; Daniel McGraw; John Kinner; Dennis Hadberg. 1977-1978: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel; John W. Swoger, Raymond W. Hahn, Asst. Headmasters; Rev. Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Robert Craig; Gerald Koos; Michael Barletta; Mark Nowak; Frank Przepierski; Daniel Kresinski; Ronald Gmerek; John Santor; Robert Humenay; Thaddeus Kondzielski; Confessors: Revs. Thomas Aleska; Dennis Marin; Daniel Arnold; Martin Krepcho; Daniel Magraw; John Kinner; Dennis Hadberg. 1978-1979: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel; John W. Swoger, Patrick Engel, Raymond Hahn, Asst. Headmasters. Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Barletta; Mark Nowak; Frank Pzepierski; John West; Ronald Gmerek; John Santor; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1979-1980: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel, Patrick Engel, Raymond Hahn, Asst. Headmasters. Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Amy; Michael Barletta; Jeff Mace; Mark Nowak; Frank Przepierski; Ronald Gmerek; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1980-1983: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel, Mark Nowak, Raymond Hahn, Asst. Headmasters; Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Amy; Michael Barletta; Stanley Staszewski; Frank Przepierski; Ronald Gmerek; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1983-1984: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Revs. John M. Dollinger, Headmaster; William Biebel, Raymond Hahn, Asst. Headmasters; Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Amy; Michael Barletta; Patrick Gibbons; Stanley Staszewski; Frank Przepierski; Ronald Kondzielski. 1984-1985: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Msgr. John B. Hagerty, Headmaster; Revs. Raymond W. Hahn, Asst. Headmaster; Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Amy; Michaell Barletta; Patrick Gibbons; Stanley Staszewski; Ronald Gmerek; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1985-1986: Msgr. Robert B. McDonald, Headmaster Emeritus; Msgr. John B. Hagerty, Headmaster; Revs. Raymond W. Hahn, Asst. Headmaster; Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Barletta; Samuel Slocum; Stanley Staszewski; Ronald Gmerek; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1986-1988: Msgr. John B. Hagerty, Headmaster; Revs. Raymond W. Hahn, Ms. Joann Maxwell, Asst. Headmasters. Faculty: Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Barletta; James McCormick; Samuel Slocum; Ronald Gmerek; Thaddeus Kondzielski. 1988-1989: Msgr. John B. Hagerty, Headmaster; Rev. Raymond W. Hahn, Ms. Joann Maxwell, Asst. Headmasters. Faculty: Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Barletta; James McCormick; Samuel Slocum; Ronald Gmerek. 1989-1990: Mr. Arthur Bergamasco, Headmaster; Mrs. Joann Mullen, Ass't. Headmaster. Faculty: Msgr. Edward Latimer; Revs. Michael Barletta; James McCormick; Ronald Gmerek. 1990-1991: Mr. Arthur Bergamasco, Headmaster; Mrs. Joann Mullen, Asst. Headmaster. Faculty: Revs. Raymond W. Hahn; Michael Barletta; James McCormick; Ronald Gmerek; Chris Hamlett. 1991-1993: Mr. Arthur Bergamasco, Headmaster; Mrs. Joann Mullen, Asst. Headmaster. Faculty: Revs. Raymond W. Hahn; Michael Barletta; James McCormick; Ronald Gmerek; Chris Hamlett; Thomas Whitman. 1993-1994: Mr. Arthur Bergamasco, Headmaster; Mrs. Joan Mullen, Asst. Headmaster. Faculty: Revs. Raymond W. Hahn; Michael Barletta; James F. Bird; James McCormick; Chris Hamlett. 1994-1995: Rev. Raymond Hahn, Acting Headmaster; Mrs. Joan Mullen, Prin., Faculty: Revs. Raymond W. Hahn; Michael Barletta, (Retired); James F. Bird; James McCormick; Chris Hamlett; William Fischer; Sr. Rachel McGuire.	Cathedral Prep had 1,100-602 students, all male. Barletta established a Teenage Action Club at Prep in 1975. The Club drew from area high schools. Barletta reportedly became popular wtih the students and was nicknamed "Barts." Kondzielski's name was included on the diocese's April 6, 2018 list of the credibly accused. Amy's name was included on the diocese's April 6, 2018 list of the credibly accused.
1975	1995	St. Luke's	Erie	PA	3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 4/6, 4/4 1975-1976: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; Martin A. Krepcho. In res., Rev. Michael G. Barletta. 1976-1977: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; John S. Lynch. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Michael O'Connor, C.S.S.R. (Ireland). 1977-1980: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; John S. Lynch. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Joseph J. Grode. 1980-1981: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Joseph J. Grode. 1981-1982:R evs. Robert D. Goodill; Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Joseph J. Grode; Vincent L. Enright. 1982-1983: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Joseph J. Grode. 1983-1984: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta. 1984-1985: Revs. Robert D. Goodill; Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Walter Lohse; Crispin Bernarte. 1985-1986: Msgr. Richard J. Stack; Rev. Daniel C. Arnold. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Walter Lohse; Robert D. Goodill. 1986-1987: Msgr. Richard J. Stack; Rev. Daniel C. Arnold; Michael T. Gaines. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Walter Lohse; Robert D. Goodill. 1987-1991: Msgr. Richard J. Stack; Michael T. Gaines. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Walter Lohse; Robert D. Goodill. 1991-1992: Msgr. Richard J. Stack, Rev. Lawrence Richards. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Walter Lohse; Robert D. Goodill. 1992-1995: Msgr. Richard J. Stack, Rev. Lawrence Richards. In res., Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Robert D. Goodill.	St. Luke's had a school with 645-440 students.
1995	2002	St. Patrick/St. Hedwig	Erie	PA	3/5, 4/5, 4/6 1995-1997: Revs. William E. Sutherland, Admin.; Joseph V. Wardanski; Michael G. Barletta; Thomas E. Smith. In res., Most Rev. Michael J. Murphy. 1997-2001: Revs. William E. Sutherland, Admin.; In res., Most Rev. Michael J. Murphy; Rev. Msgr. Joseph V. Wardanski; Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Thomas E. Smith. 2001-2002: Revs. William E. Sutherland, Admin.; In res., In res., Most Rev. Michael J. Murphy; Rev. Msgr. Joseph V. Wardanski; Revs. Michael G. Barletta; Thomas E. Smith; Leon T. Muroski.	Per news reports, Barletta worked at the diocesan office of Catholic Charities and as chaplain at Holy Family Carmelite Monastery. In the Spring of 2002, three men told Bishop Trautman that Barletta sexually abused them in the late 1970s-early 1980s when they were Cathedral Prep students. One of them said he had gone to the diocese in 1994. Barletta was removed from active ministry in 2003. Barletta is not indexed beyond the 2002 Directory. Smith has been the subject of at least two allegations of child sexual abuse. He was laicized in 2006. Muroski's name was included on the diocese's April 6, 2018 list of the credibly accused.
2002 Trautman was replaced as Erie bishop by Lawrence Thomas Persico (2012-).	2018		Erie	PA		News article show that Barletta functioned as a priest at his class reunions in 2012 and 2017. In July 2012, "Barletta of Erie offered the invocation and conducted a brief memorial service in remembrance of the 76 class members who have died." and in September 2017, "Invocation was offered by Fr. Barletta who also conducted a brief memorial service for the 104 deceased members of the 256-member class."

Priests in a Parish: We use the following convention to show a priest's place among the clergy of a parish: 1/2 means that he is the first priest listed in the Official Catholic Directory (usually the pastor) and that there is a total of two priests at the parish. The shorthand 3/4 means that the priest is listed third on a four-priest roster. See our sample page from the Directory.

Source: Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy & Sons, 1967-2002).

• Prep Reaches out to Parents, by Ed Palattella, Erie Times-News, November 13, 2003
• Ex-Prep Priest Accused, by Ed Palattella, Erie Times-News, November 13, 2003
• "These Priests Need to be Dealt With", by Ed Palattella and Scott Westcott, Erie Times-News, November 14, 2003
• Class of 1957 gathers for reunion, Ellwood City Ledger, July 17, 2012
• Class of 1957 60th Anniversary Celebration, ellwoodcity.org, September 13, 2017
• Revision to the Policy for the Protection of Children, Diocese of Erie, April 6, 2018
• Erie Diocese Releases Names of Accused Priests, Laypeople, by Ed Palattella, GoErie.com, April 6, 2018

Note: The Official Catholic Directory aims to report the whereabouts of Catholic priests in the United States on January 1 of the Directory's publication year. Our working assumption is that a priest listed in the Directory for a given year was at the same assignment for part of the previous year as well. However, Kenedy and Sons will sometimes accept updates well into the year of publication. Diocesan clergy records are rarely available to correct this information. The Directory is also sometimes misleading or wrong. We have tried to create an accurate assignment record, given the source materials and their limitations. Assignment records are a work in progress and we are always improving the records that we post. Please email us with new information and corrections.

This assignment record collates Barletta's career history as it is represented in the Official Catholic Directory with the allegations against him, as reported in the media. We make no representation regarding the truth of the allegations we report, and we remind our readers that the U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.

This assignment record was last updated on June 14, 2018.