Lawsuit Against Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Accuses Priest of Sexual Abuse

PITTSBURGH (PA)
KDKA-TV

August 7, 2020

By Shelby Cassesse

The priest was named in the state’s grand jury report into sexual abuse in Pennsylvania dioceses. The report says he was involved in inappropriate relationships with at least eight boys.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh alleging that a man was sexually assaulted and raped by a priest when he was an altar boy.

The victim accuses Father Leo Burchianti of attacking and raping him twice.

“It’s taken him a long time to recognize he did nothing wrong,” said attorney Richard Serbin.

Burchianti was a priest named in the state’s grand jury report into sexual abuse in Pennsylvania dioceses.

The grand jury report alleges Burchianti had inappropriate relationships with at least eight boys and appeared to have been evaluated and treated at facilities for “inappropriate relationships with male minors” on multiple occasions.

According to the complaint, the victim was 13 years old when he came to Pittsburgh. He became an altar boy and frequently volunteered to help with chores at the Immaculate Conception Parish.

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