Bruno Tucci, Former Catholic Priest, Charged in Child Sex Abuse Case

WFMZ
January 4, 2013

http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/Local/Bruno-Tucci-former-Catholic-priest-charged-in-child-sex-abuse-case/-/16594072/18000672/-/i1eso6/-/index.html

The investigation of a reported child sexual assault in Maryland has led to the arrest of a former priest in the Allentown Diocese.

Bruno Michael Tucci took a child in Aug. 1981 to a motel room in Ocean City, where the sexual acts occurred, said police, who declined to release specifics of the case.

Tucci, now 70, of Salisbury, Md., served as a priest in the Allentown Diocese, specifically at Roman Catholic schools and churches in Berks, Carbon and Schuylkill counties, between 1971 and 2002, said officials, adding that he was defrocked by the diocese in 2007.

Tucci's arrest, police said, didn't come about until now because they only learned of the alleged assault after the Jerry Sandusky case in Pennsylvania was made public.

Tucci was arraigned on charges of 4th degree sex offense and child abuse: custodian.

Police ask anyone who has any additional information about Tucci or his alleged conduct to contact Det. Brett Case with the Ocean City Police Dept. at 410-723-6632.

There is no statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Maryland, police said.

Tucci, as a priest in the Allentown Diocese, worked at more than a dozen schools and churches in Berks, Carbon and Schuylkill counties, said officials, who provided the following list of his assignments over more than three decades with the diocese:

Assistant, St. Margaret Church, Reading, 1971-72

Professor, Cardinal Brennan High School, Ashland, 1972

Resident, Annunciation Church, Shenandoah, 1972

Professor, Marian High School, Tamaqua, 1972-1977

Resident, St. Canicus Church, Mahanoy City, 1972-1974

Resident, SS. Peter and Paul Church, Lehighton, 1974-1977

Resident, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Nesquehoning, 1975-1977

Professor, Holy Name High School, Reading, 1977-1979

Resident, St. Columbkill Church, Boyertown, 1977

Resident, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Bally, 1977-1978

Resident, St. Peter Church, Reading, 1978-1981

Professor, Reading Central Catholic High School, 1979-1981

Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Kelayres 1981-1986

Administrator and then Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Nesquehoning, 1986-2002

Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Nesquehoning, 1987-2002