Former Valley priest accused of sexual abuse placed on administrative leave

By staff reports

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh officials placed a former parish leader, who served for years in Charleroi and Monongahela, on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
Father Joseph Feltz, 65, was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the mid-1980s, officials said via news release Saturday.
The allegation was made in a recent lawsuit against the diocese.
Bishop David Zubik sent letters this weekend at all parishes where Feltz served, which most recently was St. Christopher Parish in Prospect, Butler County.
According to an Oct. 30, 1996, story in The Valley Independent by society editor Emma Jene Lelik, Feltz was a native of McKeesport and served in churches in Butler, Midland and Castle Shannon before arriving at Mary, Mother of the Church in Charleroi in mid-1993. Known as “Father Joe” by parishioners, he eventually got assigned to St. Anthony Church in Monongahela, where he served until 2010.
Officials said Feltz denied the allegation, which has been reported to law enforcement.
A voicemail left on Feltz’s phone was not immediately returned.

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