Priest found not guilty of assaulting boy
A Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh priest who once served at a Butler County church was found not guilty Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, of charges alleging he sexually assaulted a boy in 1998 at Our Lady of Joy in Plum, Allegheny County.
A Common Pleas Court jury in Pittsburgh found Robert Joseph Cedolia, 71, of Pittsburgh, not guilty of charges filed against him by Allegheny County police in May 2021.
Cedolia, who served at Holy Sepulcher Catholic Church in Middlesex Township from July 2014 through October 2018, was found not guilty of a felony count of aggravated indecent assault of a person under 13 years old, two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault of a person under 13 and a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors. Prosecutors did not pursue a felony charge of contact with a minor.
The diocese placed Cedolia on administrative leave in August 2019.
In a statement, Bishop David Zubik said the verdict is in line with the finding of the diocesan Independent Review Board, which found no merit in the claim.
“The not guilty verdict reached in criminal court for Father Robert Cedolia represents the conclusion of a nearly four-year period since an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was filed against him. Father Cedolia was in active ministry for 41 years. He has maintained his innocence throughout these proceedings. The (criminal) court ruling is consistent with the finding of the diocesan Independent Review Board, which found no merit in the claim. May our words, our deeds, and our prayers, always reflect the healing love of Jesus,” Zubik said.
The diocese has sent the verdict to the Holy See in Rome and is awaiting a response before reinstating Cedolia, said Jennifer Antkowiak, diocese spokeswoman.
The alleged victim, who is not identified in the complaint, told police that two incidents occurred when he was 8 years old while he attended training for his Holy Communion, according to an affidavit filed by police.
Cedolia took the boy from the other students attending the training to the sacristy located to the left of the altar, according to the affidavit.
A sacristy is where a priest prepares for a service, and where vestments and other items used in worship are kept.
The boy thought Cedolia was sizing him for a robe when the priest allegedly began feeling his body, but he pushed Cedolia's hands away after he reached toward the button on his pants, according to the affidavit.
The victim alleged Cedolia ripped the button off his pants and assaulted him, according to the affidavit. Afterward, the boy said he rejoined the other children and did not tell anyone about the incident.
The second incident took place about two weeks later when the boy alleged that Cedolia came up behind him in a restroom, covered his face and assaulted him.
