Berks Priest Removed from Assignment

By Gina Gasper
WFMZ
March 4, 2012

www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/Berks-priest-removed-from-assignment/-/121418/9216708/-/u6217e/-/

[with video]

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A priest serving in Berks County has been removed from his post after having an inappropriate relationship with a woman, officials with the Diocese of Allentown said

Diocesan officials said the Rev. Cletus Onyegbule, 44, was having an inappropriate relationship with a woman that began when the woman was 18.

Onyegbule was serving as assistant pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Sinking Spring since March 2009.

Bishop John O. Barres made the announcement to parishioners at the 5:30 p.m. mass Saturday, officials said.

Officials with the Allentown Diocese said the matter was reported to the appropriate authorities and that they are cooperating with those authorities.

Onyegbule was ordained in 2002. He served at St. Ambrose Church in Schuylkill Haven and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem Township before his assignment to Sinking Spring.

Onyegbule was born in Nigeria and came to the U.S. since 1997.

Onyegbule is now at a treatment facility outside the Diocese.. and is not permitted to function publicly as a priest.

There's no word on if Onyegbule is facing any charges.

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