Greensburg Diocese bans priest from ministry in sex case
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg is prohibiting an active priest who has been investigated for old allegations of sexual misconduct with children from functioning in the Catholic ministry for the rest of his life. “He’s not allowed to function as a priest or present himself in public as a priest,’ said the Rev. Roger Statnick, vicar general and the bishop’s delegate in these matters, at a press conference Monday at the diocese’s pastoral center in Greensburg.
While the man is still considered a priest under Catholic law, Rev. Statnick said he does have an option to resign.
“He raised that option for himself,’ said Rev. Statnick. “We (the diocese) made a decision and it’s in effect. I’m waiting to see if he presents a formal resignation.’
The priest, who is also being offered therapy, was one of three active priests who were recently placed on leave while the diocese investigated old allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors. Altogether the diocese has investigated eight cases involving old allegations that go back as far as 1962. The diocese earlier announced it has prohibited two retired priests from doing public parish work while cases involving two active priests are still under investigation. Three other cases were determined not to have merit or could not be pursued.
None of the priests being investigated have been identified but Rev. Statnick did say Monday that this active priest now prohibited from functioning in the ministry is 54 years old. He had been serving as a military chaplain outside the diocese when this investigation started in February.
He has been a priest for more than 20 years. Rev. Statnick said he functioned about seven or eight years in the Greensburg diocese before becoming a military chaplain. The priest served in Fayette, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties but did not serve in Indiana County. These four counties make up the Greensburg diocese.
Rev. Statnick said the investigation into sexual misconduct in this case began in February when someone made the accusation regarding an event that happened 18 years ago.
When the allegation was made, Rev. Statnick checked the priest file. He found no mention of this accusation but did find another possible allegation. Both of these accusations involved boys.
Rev. Statnick said this priest did not become a military chaplain as a result of these allegations. He and Angela Burrows, director of Infomedia for the diocese, said several diocesan priests have served in the military.
This particular priest was called back to Greensburg for the investigation headed by Rev. Statnick. The priest also received a medical and psychological assessment. The results of both Rev. Statnick’s investigation and the assessment were revealed to the diocese’s review board, which met April 11.
The review board, which includes four lay people and a member of the clergy, made a recommendation that this priest not be allowed to function in the ministry and be offered therapy. Rev. Statnick took the decision to Bishop Anthony Bosco on April 12 and Bishop Bosco agreed with the recommendation.
The diocese did not reveal the recommendation until Monday so Rev. Statnick would have an opportunity to speak first with the priest. Rev. Statnick could not reach the priest before taking a trip out of town last week. Rev. Statnick returned Friday and spoke with the priest Saturday.
Rev. Statnick revealed the recommendation at Monday’s press conference, noting the diocese will also help the priest make a transition to reestablish himself.
Rev. Statnick said he would also share the results of this recommendation with Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck, who is conducting his own investigation into the eight allegations of clergy sexual misconduct. Rev. Statnick said he has not yet heard from Peck regarding any of the cases.
The review board also looked into six other cases that the diocese had been investigating. The review board agreed that two retired priests should refrain from public ministry and the three other cases had no merit or could not be pursued. They also asked for more information in another case involving an active priest.
In addition, there is one more case for which information was not ready for the April meeting. The review board will meet again in mid-May to study whatever information is available in these last two cases at that time.
Rev. Statnick said no legal counsel has approached the diocese regarding lawsuits based on these allegations. He some people have approached him since the investigation became public regarding other old allegations but noted those cases had been settled in the past.
Asked about reaction from the public, Rev. Statnick said, “I think reaction has been twofold: on one hand there are people grateful for the way we’re trying to communicate what we’re doing. And Bishop Bosco and I are receiving phone calls from people who think we are being unfair and persecuting good priests.’
Rev. Statnick emphasized, “What I want to convey is that we are taking steps to insure that nobody’s children are at risk.’