Father John Bauer
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1973
Assigned as Follows:
- 5/22/1973-10/02/1978: Parochial Vicar, St. Joan of Arc (South Hills, PA)
- 10/02/1978-1/17/1988: Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception (Washington, PA)
- 6/17/1988-6/27/1994: Pastor, Immaculate Conception (Washington, PA)
- 6/27/1994-2/18/1998: Pastor, Good Samaritan (Ambridge, PA)
- 2/18/1998-1/20/1999: Leave of Absence
- 1/20/1999-6/04/2006: Administrator, Our Lady of Consolation (Carmichaels, PA)
- 1/20/1999 -present: Pastor, St. Hugh (Carmichaels, PA)
- 6/04/2006 -present: Pastor, Our Lady of Consolation (Carmichaels, PA)
Summary of Allegations Against Father John Bauer:
Father John Bauer was ordained a priest in 1973, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, allegations of child sexual abuse against him came to light in documents subpoenaed from the Diocese of Pittsburgh concerning accusations against a different clergyman, Father Michael Romero.
A confidential Diocesan memorandum was attached to a 2013 file that outlined a telephone conversation regarding these accusations. The victim stated that Romero and Bauer would give him and his cohorts alcohol and encourage them to drink, and that Bauer drove him to a wrestling tournament in Columbus, Ohio, along with two other students. He said they were drinking in the car on the way there. At first, Father Bauer denied the trip altogether. He later said he remembered the trip but denied giving alcohol to any of the boys.
Romero and Bauer were also said to talk to the victim and other young boys about masturbation often. The victim reported Bauer wrestling with him, but there was no genital contact. He thought it was odd, as he was not part of the wrestling program. In an October 2013 memorandum detailing the encounter, Bauer said he remembered the victim and recalled joining them in the "wrestling room" because he enjoyed working out. In August 2014, these allegations were forwarded on to the Washington County District Attorney's Office.
Father Bauer was first named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. In November 2019, the Diocese quietly announced that its internal review board determined that at least one allegation of sexual abuse against Bauer was determined to be credible after investigation. Bauer will not be returned to ministry, according to the Diocese.
Bauer is still living and is believed to be residing in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, area. He is 71 years old.
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.