Father Fidelis Lazar
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1963
Death: 2018
Assigned as Follows:
- 1966-1969: St. Vincent (Latrobe, PA)
- 1970-1975: St. Bede (Bovard, PA)
- 1975-1976: Sacred Heart (St. Marys, PA)
- 1976-1981: St. Clare (Clairton)
- 1981-1982: St. Joan of Arc (Library, PA)
- 1982-1984: St. Mary (New Castle, PA)
- 1984-1986: St. Joseph (Bloomfield, PA)
- 1984-1987: St. Teresa (Koppel, PA)
- 1987-1989: Leave of Absence
- 1989: Withdrew from active priestly ministry
Summary of Allegations Against Father Fidelis Lazar:
Father Fidelis Lazar was ordained a priest in 1963, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to Diocesan records, three victims reported child sexual abuse allegations against him. The first victim came forward in 1986 alleging that Father Lazar took him on trips during which they slept in the same bed and held him so close that the boy could feel his erection. Another priest allegedly confronted Lazar about this behavior and he was sent away for a psychological evaluation in 1987. While at the facility, Father Fidelis Lazar admitted that he had sexually abused minors since being ordained.
In 1989, Lazar took a leave of absence. The Bishop did not allow him to re-enter the ministry because of his attraction to adolescents.
The second victim came forward in 1994. He reported that when he was 15 or 16 years old and Lazar was assigned to St. Joan of Arc, Father Fidelis Lazar would kiss him, take his pants off, and inappropriately touch his genitals. The third victim emailed the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2002 to report that Father Lazar had sexually abused him at St. Vincent's Prep School in Latrobe.
Lazar died in 2018. His name was added 5/18/18 to the diocese's list of credibly accused priests, lay employees and volunteers. It noted he was no longer in ministry. He was also named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.
In 2002, another man alleged that Lazar sexually abused him as a child in the 1960s. In July 2020, Lazar was named in a lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused a 7-year-old child in 1975.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.