(PA)
Latrobe Bulletin [Latrobe, PA]
May 19, 2026
By Annabelle Chipps
Editor’s note: This article contains mentions of alleged sexual misconduct and assault.
Pennsylvania State Police are looking for area males who may have been sexually assaulted or abused by former Catholic priest and state police chaplain, Robert Byrnes, 84. As of now, two men have come forward and accused Byrnes of sexual misconduct, PSP Greensburg’s Public Information Officer Steve Limani said during a Monday press conference.
Police also found an unspecified number of photos in Byrnes’ bedroom depicting males who could be minors, but their ages have not been determined, Limani said. He clarified the photos were not of the two men who came forward, and some of them are sexual in nature.
Police have yet to identify the males in the photos.
“The concern is, with the photographs that we found, maybe there’s other victims,” Limani said. “It’s a matter of, are these photographs taken with the person’s knowledge and their willingness to do so?”
Byrnes lived in Christ Our Shepherd Center on Seminary Drive off U.S. Route 30 in Unity Township until a Friday arrest. He is out of prison on $250,000 unsecured bail after being charged for over a decade of alleged sexual abuse, a Friday PSP release said.
Limani said Byrnes is now in a Greensburg-area assisted living facility.
The first alleged victim came to PSP Greensburg on March 24, a Friday criminal complaint said. The man told police that he worked in the kitchen at Christ Our Shepherd in May 2014.
During this time, Byrnes allegedly came up behind the man and sexually assaulted him, court records showed. The man’s testimony triggered an investigation that is still ongoing.
The complaint said police identified another kitchen employee as a second alleged victim. He worked at the center prior to the man who first came forward, court records showed.
The second victim reported Byrnes began a friendship with him, inviting the employee to his room and taking him out gambling. Byrnes often invited the second alleged victim to shower after his shift. The complaint said Byrnes began to watch the man shower and provide him with alcohol.
The second alleged victim said there were times he would wake up naked in Byrnes’ bed, according to court records. Byrnes also provided the second alleged victim with pornography and instructed him to masturbate in front of the priest “as a way to be forgiven of sins,” the complaint said.
Police alleged the two men both confronted Byrnes about the abuse in recorded phone calls as part of the investigation. He supposedly told both men not to report the incidents to the police, and even begged one of them not to say anything for the sake of the church, other priests and Byrnes’ family, according to the complaint.
Byrnes also asked both men and God to please forgive him during the calls, the complaint said.
A state trooper who worked on the case wrote in the complaint that he believes Byrnes used his office as a priest and chaplain for law enforcement to keep his conduct secret.
The complaint also mentioned Byrnes was in possession of a badge and state police uniform, and his bedroom was located just above the kitchen in Christ Our Shepherd Center.
Limani said Byrnes was a chaplain starting in the early 2000s but separated in 2018 after failing to follow proper PSP procedures. Byrnes provided emotional support and counseling to troopers while in the voluntary chaplain position, Limani said.
Byrnes would attend various ceremonies and programs run by PSP Greensburg, including Westmoreland County Camp Cadet, which involves children ages 12 to 15, Limani confirmed.
Chris DeRose from Bulletin news partner KDKA-TV said during the press conference that two “well-knowing” individuals told him Byrnes had access to dormitories and locker rooms at Camp Cadet where children were present.
DeRose said his sources related Byrnes would enter these spaces without any announcement while children were getting dressed.
Limani said he never heard of any misconduct between Byrnes and the campers, and Byrnes would not have been allowed to walk around the camp or dorms without a trooper present.
Byrnes had been living in Christ Our Shepherd Center since August 2018 when he was removed from all ministry and placed on an inactive status after review and recommendation by the Diocesan Clergy Review Board, the Diocese of Greensburg said in a Saturday statement.
“As part of the Diocesan Higher Standards Policy, the safety and well-being of children, vulnerable individuals or any person, remains our highest priority. We take these charges with the utmost seriousness, and our concern is first and foremost for anyone who may have been harmed,” the statement said.
The diocese also said it will not comment further on the situation right now. The Bulletin reached out to Christ Our Shepherd Center for comment at 2:04 p.m. Monday but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.
Limani said he is not sure why Byrnes became an inactive priest in 2018. He believes the diocese would have told police if they knew of any misconduct, he said.
“He’s not the first person that has had a criminal complaint that has donned the same outfit or uniform that [Byrnes] wears, and we’re obviously going to be working to try and see if there’s other individuals that were involved, if they knew about activities,” Limani said when asked if there were other priests from the Diocese of Greensburg who have been accused of similar misconduct.
Byrnes is facing one felony charge for aggravated indecent assault without consent and four misdemeanors for obstructing administrative law and official oppression. The offense dates are listed in court records as October 2009.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Mark Mansour on June 1 at 10 a.m.
State police apologize to victims, ask them to come forward
Limani frequently used the words “disgusting” and “horrific” during the press conference.
“It feels like a letdown as a police officer that we have to endure somebody that’s accused of disgraceful acts … it’s upsetting,” he said of PSP’s affiliation with Byrnes. “It’s a sad day for law enforcement.”
Limani himself knew Byrnes and said he was not aware of these actions until the investigation. He apologized to alleged victims and their families on behalf of his department.
Limani also said the investigation is very dependent on testimony at this time, and potential victims or witnesses are encouraged to call PSP Greensburg at 724-832-3288. He said anonymous claims are difficult to follow up with, but police understand if individuals would like to get something off their chest.
Limani said there is a statute of limitations on sexual abuse, assault and harassment, and Byrnes’ two known cases are very close to being outside that window.
However, Limani said any information helps, and police would still like to hear from anybody who may have been affected at any point in time.
Anyone needing support regarding sexual abuse, harassment or assault should consult a therapist or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Potential victims may reach out to the Bulletin by emailing achipps@latrobebulletinnews.com.