Zubik explained that the decision to remove a priest from ministry during an investigation “does not imply guilt.” The objective is to “safeguard the course of justice while preserving the rights of everyone involved.”
“If a determination is made that [he] 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 [his] reputation and return him to ministry,” said Zubik.
New lawsuits filed against four priests
Feltz is one of the four priests accused of child sexual abuse in a dozen new lawsuits filed on behalf of victims.
The lawyer representing the victims told CBS Pittsburgh, “I think [the fact] that we have four new priests that were not named [in the grand jury report] there shows you that this was a broader and wider system of abuse. When I talk to people like [the victim], there’s no doubt in my mind that what they tell me is true about the particular priest.”
The grand jury report identified 301 predator priests who sexually abused over 1,000 children during their ministry.
