Fr. John M. Unger

Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 09/19/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh PA

First named publicly as accused in a lawsuit announced in 11/2018, claiming abuse of a boy at Sacred Heart Elementary School. His accuser said that he was a 10-year-old student at the school when Unger chose him to clean erasers, then led him to a secluded choir room and raped him. He said he asked “why?” and Unger told him it made him a bona fide member of the Catholic Church, and not to tell. The abuse allegedly occurred three times 1969-1971, with several other attempts. The man said other boys at the school were also sexually abused, and that they called the priest “Monster Unger.. .” He said two victims later died by suicide. Unger died in 2004.  His name was included in 2022 on the diocese’s list of accused.


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