Priest on leave while church investigates accusations of 'inappropriate contact' with women

By Peter Smith
Post-Gazette
May 13, 2019

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A priest with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has been placed on administrative leave while the church investigates accusations of “inappropriate contact with adult women,” according to a letter by Bishop David A. Zubik to parishioners.

The letter, dated May 4, was distributed over the weekend in the bulletins to the congregations of Saint Ferdinand in Cranberry, Saint Gregory in Zelienople and Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City. The three parishes are part of a grouping with a combined pastoral staff.

In it, Bishop Zubik said the church is investigating accusations made against the Rev. James Young. The removal is not an implication of guilt, Bishop Zubik said, but will “safeguard the course of justice while preserving the rights of everyone involved.”

While on leave, Father Young is “not allowed to engage in public ministry at your parish or any place else. He cannot administer the sacraments, dress in clerical attire or identify himself as a priest,” Bishop Zubik wrote to parishioners.

Those restrictions will become permanent if the church finds that Father Young “did what he is accused of,” Bishop Zubik said.

The bishop said the matter will go before the Independent Review Board, “which will advise me on whether he is suitable for ministry.”

Unlike other allegations over the past year resulting in priests going on administrative leave, this case does not involve any alleged conduct regarding children. 

The investigation would be guided by the diocese’s Code of Pastoral Conduct, which governs conduct by priests and anyone else working or volunteering in the diocese, according to the Rev. Nicholas Vaskov, executive director of communications for the diocese.

While the code was drafted in response to the scandal of child sexual abuse, it also covers conduct toward adults.

Among its provisions: Those committed to celibacy are expected to live by that commitment.

Church personnel are “not to exploit the trust placed in them by the faith community for sexual gain or intimacy.” That includes parishioners as well as those receiving counseling or spiritual direction. 

The policy also forbids sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse of adults.

Where an offense is committed against an an adult, violations of policy could result in anything “from a verbal reproach to removal from the ministry, depending on the specific nature and circumstances of the offense and the extent of the harm.”

Bishop Zubik asked that anyone who has been harmed by “someone representing the Church” should inform the diocese by calling 1-888-808-1235 or by contacting the Pennsylvania abuse hotline at 1-800-932-0313.