Pittsburgh diocese puts priest on leave amid allegation of sexual abuse dating back to 1990s

Plum, Pennsylvania -- A longtime Catholic priest has been placed on leave due to an allegation that he sexually abused a minor while he was serving at a church in Plum in the 1990s, the Diocese of Pittsburgh said Thursday night.

The Rev. Robert Cedolia is priest-administrator of the parishes of Saint Clare in Clairton, Holy Spirit in West Mifflin, Saint Thomas a Becket in Jefferson Hills and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Pleasant Hills.

"The diocese is responding to an accusation made through the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, stating that Father Cedolia allegedly sexually abused a minor in the 1990s while he served as pastor of Our Lady of Joy Parish in Holiday Park," the diocese said in a written statement.

Cedolia denies the allegation, and he "has taken up a temporary residence" while the investigation continues, the diocese said.

The Allegheny County district attorney has been notified of the allegation, the diocese said.

Below is the full statement from the diocese.

Today the Diocese of Pittsburgh placed on administrative leave Father Robert Cedolia, priest-administrator of the parishes of Saint Clare in Clairton, Holy Spirit in West Mifflin, Saint Thomas a Becket in Jefferson Hills and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Pleasant Hills.

The diocese is responding to an accusation made through the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, stating that Father Cedolia allegedly sexually abused a minor in the 1990s while he served as pastor of Our Lady of Joy Parish in Holiday Park.

Father Cedolia has been a priest in active ministry for 41 years. This is the first allegation that has ever been raised involving Father Cedolia. Father Cedolia denies the accusation.

Safety of young people is of utmost concern to the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We will follow our procedures for response to such allegations.

Father Cedolia has taken up a temporary residence while this allegation is looked into further. While he is on administrative leave he is not allowed to engage in public ministry. He cannot administer the sacraments, dress in clerical attire or identify himself as a priest. If a determination is made that Father Cedolia 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 Father Cedolia's reputation and return him to ministry.

The District Attorney of Allegheny County has been notified of the allegation.