The Latest: Pastor removed after diocese received allegation
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on the Roman Catholic Church child sex abuse scandal in Pennsylvania (all times local):
2:55 p.m.
The Roman Catholic pastor of a southwestern Pennsylvania parish has been removed from ministry after the local diocese received what it calls a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor.
Wednesday's revelation by the Greensburg Diocese comes amid growing fallout from a state grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s.
The Greensburg Diocese says the allegation against Monsignor Michael Matusak dates back almost 20 years. He's at least the third Catholic clergy member in Pennsylvania to be under investigation independently of the grand jury report.
The diocese says it relayed the allegation to state child welfare authorities and the county prosecutor.
The diocese says it's the only allegation it ever received against Matusak.
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10 a.m.
A Roman Catholic high school will shed the name of Washington's archbishop, who was cited in a sweeping grand jury report as having allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated while he was Pittsburgh's bishop.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl (wurl) made the request to remove his name from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School. The school's sign was discovered vandalized Monday.
The 77-year-old Wuerl has defended himself, saying he acted to protect children, promptly investigate allegations and strengthen policies as understanding of child abuse evolved.
The move is part of the growing fallout from a grand jury report that accused a succession of church leaders of covering up abuse by 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s.
