(PA)
TribLive [Pittsburgh, PA]
May 18, 2026
By Rich Cholodofsky
Investigators say Robert Byrnes leveraged his position with law enforcement and the church to shield his behavior and lure victims
Investigators in Greensburg are seeking additional alleged victims of a retired Catholic priest charged late last week with sexual crimes.
During a Monday news conference at the barracks in Greensburg, state police spokesman Trooper Steve Limani said authorities found an unspecified number of photographs of a sexual nature related to the case. The images appear to depict potential male victims of the man authorities contend leveraged his position as a former law enforcement chaplain to lure his victims and prevent them from disclosing his behavior.
Robert Byrnes, 84, was charged with aggravated indecent assault without consent, two counts of official oppression and two counts of obstructing administration of law or other governmental function. The charges are in connection with allegations he had inappropriate sexual contact with at least two people while living in a Unity home for retired clergy.
“We would encourage anybody who feels that they were a victim to come forward and contact the state police barracks. The direct dial is 724-832-3288, and you’ll be sent to the investigator, the team handling this investigation,” Limani said.
Limani said investigators have yet to determine the ages of the potential victims, but they appeared to be male.
Byrnes was charged after a two-month investigation that was launched when a potential victim came forward with allegations against the retired priest, according to arrest documents. A second accuser came forward and told investigators Byrnes used casino trips and alcohol to entice his alleged victim into sexual activity, police contend.
Byrnes was released late last week on a $250,000 unsecured bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 1 for a preliminary hearing. He is living in a Greensburg-area nursing home, Limani said.
Diocese spokesman Cliff Gorski confirmed Byrnes does not live in any church-owned facility.
Authorities contend Byrnes used his relationship with the church and law enforcement to shield his conduct that investigators said took place while he lived at Christ Our Shepherd Center in Unity.
“Unfortunately it feels like a letdown as a police officer that we have to endorse somebody that’s accused of disgraceful acts. It’s disgusting to read them. It’s upsetting,” Limani said.
Byrnes served as a volunteer chaplain for the state police, where he gave invocations at official functions and ceremonies and participated in other police-related activities, including camps children attended.
“He was around all the time,” Limani said.
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg over the weekend confirmed Byrnes worked as a priest until 2018, when he was removed from all ministry and placed on inactive status following a review and recommendation by the Diocesan Clergy Review Board.
The Greensburg diocese, as have other dioceses throughout the country and in Pennsylvania, has been rocked by repeated allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy. A state grand jury investigation in 2018 revealed sexual assault allegations against more than 300 priests in Pennsylvania dating back decades and included claims involving nearly two dozen clergy members who served in the Greensburg diocese.
The diocese lists on its website 22 inactive priests linked to credible accusations of sexual misconduct. That list appears to not have been updated since 2018 and does not include Byrnes.
Meanwhile, the Greensburg diocese was among five dioceses in Pennsylvania that established compensation funds for sex abuse survivors after the 2018 release of a statewide grand jury report that revealed abuse allegations against 301 priests.
According to the diocese’s most recent financial disclosures as of June 2025, it has paid more than $8.2 million to settle sex abuse claims with 84 people.
Byrnes’ chaplain duties for the state police were discontinued in 2018 when he failed to submit required paperwork to retain his voluntary position, Limani said.
While not a member of law enforcement, Byrnes was for years a consistent presence at official police functions. Personnel at the Greensburg state police barracks knew and worked with Byrnes.
“So, it wouldn’t be uncommon for him to show up or give an opening prayer for a ceremony that was going to take place or for him to give a closing departure when it came to some kind of religious aspect of the ceremony,” Limani said.