A Butler County priest has been placed on administrative leave amid allegations that he sexually abused a minor.
Father Joseph Feltz, 65, retired in October as pastor of St. Christopher at the Lake Parish in Prospect after serving there since 2010. He’s accused of sexually abusing a minor in the mid-‘80s but has denied any wrongdoing.
Feltz is one of four priests named in a recent lawsuit. Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced the suspension on Saturday. On Sunday, a letter was sent to all of the churches where Feltz had worked during his career. 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 who made the allegation and the person against whom an allegation has been made,” Bishop Zubik wrote. “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.
Priests on administrative leave cannot dress as or present themselves as priests and are barred from engaging in public ministry.
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.
The post Butler Co. Priest Placed On Leave Following Abuse Allegations appeared first on ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA.
