Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA: (Sep-18-07) The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced that it had reached a $1.25 million resolution of civil lawsuits filed by those who claimed they were sexually abused by diocese priests. Sources alleged that the oldest claim of abuse began in 1954 and the most recent was in 1989. Diocesan spokesman Rev. Ron Lengwin stated that nine of the 18 priests accused are dead and nine no longer practice ministry. One priest, Richard J. Dorsch, was convicted. The lawsuit was brought representing 26 men and nine women who sued the diocese in 2004, alleging they were abused by its priests.

In return for a share of the $1.25 million Outreach Fund that will be divided by retired Allegheny County Judge Alan Penkower and counseling the diocese will pay for, 32 of the plaintiffs dropped their lawsuits against the diocese. Sources claimed that the insurance carriers for the diocese will pay for the Outreach Fund. Incoming Bishop David A. Zubik publicly apologized to sex assault victims and held a prayer service of apology in the fall of 2006 for those victimized by the church. The decision to resolve the cases was made by Bishop Paul J. Bradley, who is serving as administrator of the diocese until Zubik's installation. [PITTSBURGH TRIBUEN REVIEW: PRIEST ABUSE]

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Published on Sep-19-07