PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC
by Ron Musselman
HOLLIDAYSBURG — A priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown was placed on leave from public ministry Wednesday.
Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, bishop of the diocese, said in a release that Rev. Anthony J. Petracca has been placed on leave from public ministry.
The action comes after an accusation of misconduct involving a minor that allegedly occurred in the mid-1980s.
Bartchak has notified law enforcement of the accusation against Petracca. While on leave, Petracca will not be permitted to function as a priest, and he will reside at a place where he will not have contact with children.
Petracca, 61, is a native of Darby, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in 1985 and has served as parochial vicar at numerous parishes. Recently, he was appointed administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Altoona and Chaplain at UPMC Altoona.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.