Westmoreland priest abuse case: 5 things we know now

A former Westmoreland County priest is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child from an incident more than 25 years ago.

John Thomas Sweeney, 74, was

at the magistrate’s office in Allegheny Township.

This is what we know from a criminal affidavit:

1.

was formerly a priest in the Diocese of Greensburg, from 1970-2016.

2.

He served at seven stations in the diocese, including St. Margaret Mary in Lower Burrell, where he is accused of abusing the child. He also served parishes in Latrobe, Greensburg, Smock, Freeport, Apollo and West Newton

.

3.

fearing they would blame themselves.

4.

Sweeney allegedly forced the victim, who was 10-years-old and in fourth grade at the time, to perform oral sex on him sometime between September 1991 and June 1992.

5.

The victim, now 35, was assaulted after he got in trouble for misbehaving on a school bus and was sent to a conference room with Sweeney, who was the pastor of the parish at the time. He said Sweeney’s secretary brought him milk and cookies after the sexual assault.

"These charges are from 26 years ago, and we intend to defend this vigorously," said Fran Murrman, Sweeney's attorney. "We haven't had a chance to read the whole criminal complaint, we'll see you at the preliminary hearing."

The diocese of Greensburg released a statement Monday afternoon, saying in part, the first allegation they heard about Sweeney came Sept. 20 last year. On Sept. 21, he was put on leave and taken out of the Holy Family Catholic Church.

"According to diocesan records, it was the first, and thus far is the only, complaint related to sexual abuse of a child that the Diocese of Greensburg has received concerning Father Sweeney."

The diocese said law enforcement asked them not to go public during the investigation.

Police say Sweeney continued to be a priest for 16 years after the alleged abuse occurred and now lives in diocese housing for retired priests.

A judge gave him $50,000 unsecured bond and said he can't have any contact with the alleged victim or any child.

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