After cleared of scandal, Sewickley priest resigns

PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

August 2, 2012

By Ann Rodgers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Catholic priest who was cleared of suspicion of child sex abuse has resigned from his parish but will return for a final Mass.

In April a family expressed concern to diocesan officials about a Facebook post to their minor child from the Rev. Daniel Valentine, 63, of St. James parish in Sewickley. The diocese turned to the Allegheny County district attorney’s office, which sent forensic investigators to examine computers Father Valentine had access to. Meanwhile, he took a voluntary leave of absence.

The investigators “determined that Father Valentine had not engaged in any criminal conduct,” said District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. “There were things on the computer that we felt were inappropriate but not criminal, and I so advised the diocese.”

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