Priest Placed on Leave Amid Misconduct Claim

Altoona Mirror
July 6, 2017

http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2017/07/priest-placed-on-leave-amid-misconduct-claim/

Corrected to reflect while Anthony J. Petracca had been appointed last month to the UPMC Altoona and Our Lady of Lourdes positions, he had not yet started in those positions.

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A priest who recently had been appointed — but had not yet started — as administrator at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Altoona and chaplain at UPMC Altoona has been placed on leave from public ministry because of an accusation of misconduct with a minor that allegedly occurred in the mid-1980s, according to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The Rev. Anthony J. Petracca will not be permitted to function as a priest and will live at a place where he will not have contact with children, stated a news release from the diocese.

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, who imposed the leave, has informed law enforcement of the accusation, according to the news release.

Petracca, 61, and a native of Darby, near Philadelphia, has been parochial vicar at numerous parishes, according to the news release.

Monsignor Michael Becker, pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish in Altoona, has taken over administrative duties at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Bartchak said he is committed to the safety and protection of children in the diocese, according to the news release.

Anyone with information about clergy misconduct should report it to law enforcement immediately, according to the news release. Such information can also be reported to the Pa. Child Hotline, 800-932-0313 the news release stated.