Priest Placed on Administrative Leave Due to Allegation

Bishop David Zubik has placed Father Joseph Feltz on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

Father Feltz, 65, who most recently served as pastor of Saint Christopher Parish, Prospect, is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the mid-1980s. The allegation was made by way of a recent lawsuit against the diocese. Father Feltz has denied the allegation, which has been reported to law enforcement.

Priests on administrative leave may not engage in public ministry, dress as priests or otherwise present themselves as priests in good standing. If the allegation is deemed unsubstantiated following an investigation, his faculties for ministry will be restored.

Bishop Zubik has sent letters to be shared this weekend at all parishes where Father Feltz has served. The letter explains that the Diocese of Pittsburgh will follow its policies and those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Removing a priest from ministry while an investigation takes place “does not imply guilt. It is intended to safeguard the course of justice while preserving the rights of everyone involved, including both the person who made the allegation and the person against whom an allegation has been made,” Bishop Zubik wrote.

“If a determination is made that [he] did what he is accused of, those restrictions will become permanent. If it is determined that the allegation is unfounded, all that is possible will be done to restore [his] reputation and return him to ministry,” he wrote.

Bishop Zubik urged anyone who has been harmed by someone representing the Church to contact the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator at 1-888-808-1235 or the Pennsylvania state abuse hotline at 1-800-932-0313.