Three Priests Placed On Administrative Leave Due To Allegations

Bishop David Zubik has placed one active priest and two retired priests on administrative leave following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor received in the wake of the Grand Jury report on six Pennsylvania dioceses.

The allegations have been reported to law enforcement. All three priests have denied the allegations. Priests on administrative leave may not engage in public ministry, dress as priests or otherwise present themselves as priests in good standing. If the allegations are deemed unsubstantiated following an investigation, their faculties for ministry will be restored.

The three priests are:

• ●  The Rev. John Bauer, 71, who has been serving in team ministry at the Greene County parishes of St. Ann in Waynesburg, St. Hugh in Carmichaels, St. Ignatius of Antioch in Bobtown, Our Lady of Consolation in Nemacolin and St. Thomas in Clarksville. He is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s. This allegation was received on August 30, 2018. The Grand Jury report included an earlier allegation of other misconduct against Father Bauer that was not substantiated as child sexual abuse because the accuser stated that Father Bauer did not sexually abuse him. Father Bauer was therefore in ministry until this new allegation was received.

• ●  The Rev. Bernard Costello, 81, who completed his last assignment in 2011 as temporary administrator at Mary, Mother of the Church parish in Charleroi. He is accused of sexually abusing a minor in the mid- 1960s. This allegation, which the Diocese of Pittsburgh received on August 22, 2018, is the first allegation that the diocese has received against Father Costello.

• ●  The Rev. Hugh Lang, 87, who retired in 2006 as pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux in Munhall. He is accused of sexually abusing a minor in 2001. This allegation, which the Diocese of Pittsburgh received on August 27, 2018, is the first allegation that the diocese has received against Father Lang.

  Bishop Zubik is sending letters to be shared this weekend at all parishes where the priests have served. The letter explains that the Diocese of Pittsburgh will follow its policies and those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

  Removing a priest from ministry while an investigation takes place “does not imply guilt. It is intended to safeguard the course of justice while preserving the rights of everyone involved, including both the person against whom an allegation has been made and the person who made the allegation,” Bishop Zubik wrote.

  The bishop explained that, while on administrative leave, a priest is not allowed to engage in public ministry. He cannot administer the sacraments, dress in clerical attire or identify himself as a priest.

  “If a determination is made that [he] did what he is accused of, those restrictions will become permanent. If it is determined that the allegation is unfounded, all that is possible will be done to restore [his] reputation and return him to ministry,” he wrote.

  Bishop Zubik urged anyone who has been harmed by someone representing the Church to contact the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator at 1-888-808-1235 or the Pennsylvania state abuse hotline at 1-800-932-0313.