(Pa) Priest accused of molesting 8-year-old boy at Plum church in 1998
PLUM, Pa. —
A Catholic priest in the Pittsburgh Diocese is facing criminal charges for allegedly molesting an 8-year-old boy at a Plum church in 1998. According to a criminal complaint, the victim was just 8 when Rev. Robert Cedolia assaulted him at Our Lady of Joy.
The victim told police the first incident occurred when he was training for first communion. The second incident happened two weeks later. During the second alleged assault, the victim said Cedolia told him, "God sees all" (implying the assault is OK in God’s eyes). "Just those words are so eerie to hear not only as a survivor myself but these are the methods predator priests will use," said Michael McDonnell, spokesman for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
"No one knew more about the abuses and no one has done less about the abuses than the dioceses in Pennsylvania," McDonnell said.
A Pittsburgh diocese spokesperson said the diocese placed Cedolia on administrative leave after first getting word of the allegations two years ago. The diocese said it forwarded the allegations to the District Attorney's Office.
Defense attorney Lisa Mantella said Cedolia "vehemently denies the accusations and he is completely innocent of the charges."
https://www.wtae.com/article/priest-accused-of-molesting-8-year-old-boy-at-plum-church-in-1998/36819564
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