West Deer priest removed after he admits to inappropriate contact while a seminarian
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A West Deer priest has been placed on administrative leave after he admitted to inappropriate behavior with a minor that didn’t involved sexual contact, according to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik placed the Rev. Thomas Wilson, 74, on leave, according to a diocesan news release sent Saturday afternoon.
Wilson was serving as an associate priest at St. Victor Parish in Bairdford and Transfiguration Parish in Russellton.
Wilson admitted to the contact, according to the diocese.
It dates to when he was a seminarian serving at St. Mary of the Mount Parish in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood.
While there was no sexual contact, the allegation involved a violation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, according to the diocesan news release.
This is the sole allegation received against Wilson. Because he admitted to the conduct, Wilson was placed on permanent ministry restriction that prohibits him from engaging in public ministry, dressing as a priest or otherwise presenting himself as a Catholic clergyman.
Wilson was assigned to the West Deer parishes in October as part of a diocesan restructuring.
Before that, he had served at St. Titus Parish in Aliquippa and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hopewell, both in Beaver County. He was ordained as a priest in 1975.
Anyone who has been harmed by someone representing the church is urged to contact the diocesan assistance coordinator at 888-808-1235 or the Pennsylvania state abuse hot line at 800-932-0313.