MINNESOTA
Catholic Spirit

Catholic News Service | March 15, 2016

Three Franciscan priests, including one assigned to a Minneapolis parish, were charged with conspiracy for endangering the welfare of children as well as for endangering the welfare of children in connection with a two-year investigation into sexual abuse in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

Franciscan Fathers Giles Schinelli, Robert D’Aversa and Anthony Criscitelli were expected to return to Pennsylvania to answer the charges, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane at a news conference March 15 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus.

Father Criscitelli is pastor of St. Bridget in Minneapolis. He has been removed from ministry pending the outcome of the criminal charges, according to a March 15 statement from Archbishop Bernard Hebda, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Father Criscitelli has served in the archdiocese since 1982. The archdiocese has no records of…