Pittsburgh Diocese Puts 3 Priests on Leave Amid New Sex Abuse Allegations

Action News 4
September 1, 2018

https://www.wtae.com/article/three-priests-placed-on-administrative-leave-due-to-allegations/22888667

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said Friday that it had placed three priests on leave following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor received in the wake of the state grand jury report on six Pennsylvania dioceses.

One of the priests is active, and two are retired. The diocese said all three have denied the allegations, which are now being handled by the District Attorney's Office.

The diocese said the Rev. John Bauer has been serving in team ministry at St. Ann in Waynesburg, St. Hugh in Carmichaels, St. Ignatius of Antioch in Bobtown, Our Lady of Consolation in Nemacolin and St. Thomas in Clarksville.

Bauer is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s, the diocese said. The allegation was received Aug. 30. The grand jury report included another allegation of misconduct against him that was not substantiated as child sexual abuse.

The Rev. Bernard Costello, who completed his last assignment in 2011 as a temporary administrator at Mary, Mother of the Church in Charleroi, was accused of sexually abusing a minor in the mid-1960s. The diocese said the allegation was received Aug. 22 and was the first that it has received against him.

The Rev. Hugh Lang, who retired in 2006 as the pastor of Saint Therese of Lisieux in Munhall, was accused of sexually abusing a minor in 2001. The diocese said the allegation was received Aug. 27 and is also the first.