PENNSYLVANIA
WNEP
[with video]
April 4, 2014, by Stacy Lange
SCRANTON — Father Philip Altavilla was the pastor at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton for the past few years, making him one of the most visible priests in the Diocese of Scranton. He has been removed from his post since being arrested and charged Thursday night with indecent assault and corruption of minors.
The charges stem from allegations that Altavilla abused a teenage girl back in 1998.
As pastor of the Diocese of Scranton’s flagship church, Fr. Altavilla has preached in front of thousands. He’s now been suspended from his priestly duties after those allegations of child sexual abuse.
Altavilla was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors stemming from a 1998 incident where he allegedly molested a 13-year-old girl.
That girl was an altar server at St. Patrick’s Church in west Scranton where Altavilla once was pastor. According to court papers, Altavilla gave the girl alcohol after Christmas Eve midnight mass in 1998.
He then drove her to a parking lot on Academy Street in Scranton. The girl told police he took off her shoes and touched her legs and feet.
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