GREENSBURG (PA)
WTAE - Action News 4 [Pittsburgh PA]
June 8, 2026
By WTAE
A retired priest accused of several sex crimes in Westmoreland County has waived his preliminary hearing after showing up to court Monday.
Robert Byrnes, 84, is charged with aggravated indecent assault, obstruction of administration of law or other governmental functions and official oppression.
The former Pennsylvania State Police chaplain was arrested in May for alleged sex crimes during his time as a practicing priest.
In March, a former kitchen worker at Christ Our Shepherd Center went to state police and alleged that Byrnes sexually assaulted him while he was a resident there in 2009.
Police said during the course of the investigation, another victim was identified who also worked there.
“There are two people who we believe, right now, are victims,” Trooper Steve Limani said.
According to court documents, the two men confronted Byrnes about the alleged abuse during recorded phone calls as part of the investigation. Both victims asked Byrnes if they should talk to the police or a therapist about the alleged assault, and Byrnes told them not to.
Byrnes allegedly begged the victim not to go to the police “for the sake of the reputation for the church, priesthood, for other priests, for my family” and his physical condition. Byrnes allegedly asked both men to forgive him and to “ask God to forgive him.”
According to the criminal complaint, Byrnes recalled the sexual assaults, but suggested it could have been a “gesture of friendship.”
Photographs were found at Byrnes’ Christ Our Shepherd residence. He was a resident there until his arrest.
“The concern is with [photographs found at Byrnes’ residence]. At least, they would be considered questionable in nature. We don’t know who the individuals are [in the photographs with Byrnes]. They appear to be young males. There’s definitely some that would be considered [sexual].”
Officials believe there may have been more victims and have asked for help finding information on the photos found at the former priest’s residence.
“It’s extremely reliant upon the public coming forward and us trying to see if there are other victims,” Limani said. “We would encourage anyone who feels they are a victim to come forward and contact the state police barracks. If you think that you’re a victim from 20, 30, 40 years ago, by all means, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to have a conversation with you because you’re outside the statute [of limitations]. We’re going to be working to see if there are other individuals who were involved. If they knew about activities, right now, we don’t have that information.”
PSP Greensburg can be reached by calling 724-832-3288. The barracks are located at 100 North Westmoreland Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601.