GREENSBURG, Pa. -- After searching its files for child sexual abuse allegations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg has suspended two active priests and a third who was not active.
The Rev. Roger Statnick, vicar general of the diocese, is scheduled to meet with Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck on Wednesday. WTAE's Marcie Cipriani reported that they will review eight files, which includes the three priests and others in question.
However, Statnick told Cipriani that he will not release the names of any of the priests to Peck, nor to members of the parishes where they served.
"A parish would know if a priest was on a leave of absence, but it's not our policy to give the reasons for the leave in any case, no matter what," said Statnick.
The diocese has said that the accusations against each priest were made more than 20 years ago. When the allegations surfaced earlier this month, one of the priests was practicing in Fayette County and another was in Armstrong County. The third had alrerady left the diocese to practice elsewhere.
Statnick said the accusers asked the church to investigate internally and confidentially. The police have not been informed and no arrests have been made, Cipriani reported.
"We are doing our investigation from the point of view of the church," Statnick said. "It's not my job to do a civil investigation or criminal investigation."
Statnick said he is aware of the public's suspicions, and he will ask a diocese review board to reconsider the policy of conducting internal investigations.
Peck declined to comment on the allegations and the withholding of priests' names until after his meeting with Statnick.
The allegations, along with the district attorney's comments, will be presented to a diocese review board in April.
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