PITTSBURGH (PA)
Trib Live
November 12, 2018
By Chuck Biedka
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Monday that another priest accused of sex abuse was placed on administrative leave in September.
Bishop David Zubik said the Rev. Richard M. Lelonis, 73, was placed on leave pending further investigation into two allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
Diocesan officials said they “spoke with two individuals in early September. One alleged abuse by Father Lelonis in the early 1970’s. The second individual alleged that Father Lelonis attempted abuse around 1980,” according to a statement from diocese spokesman the Rev. Ronald Lengwin.
Following that meeting, the diocese immediately reported the allegations to the District Attorney of Allegheny County.
At the same time, Lelonis was removed from his assignment in the diocesan tribunal, where he had served full-time since 1995. According to the statement, Lelonis denied both allegations.
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