Father Richard Terdine
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: May 1965
Assigned as follows:
- 5/13/1965 -12/05/1965: St. Vitus (New Castle, PA)
- 12/06/1965- 9/21/1967: St. Scholastica (Aspinwall, PA)
- 9/22/1967 -6/09/1968: Our Lady of Grace (Scott Township, PA)
- 6/10/1968 -4/13/1970: St. Lawrence O’Toole (Garfield, PA)
- 6/15/1970 -8/31/1971: Epiphany, Uptown (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 9/01/1971 -5/30/1972: Duquesne University, Graduate Assistant (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 5/31/1972 -8/08/1973: St. Basil (Carrick, PA)
- 8/09/1973 -5/30/1974: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- 5/31/1974 -11/21/1986: Intermediate Schools Unit, Psychologist
- 11/22/1986- 1/16/1989: St. Peter (McKeesport, PA)
- 1/16/1989 -11/05/1989: Cardinal Wright Center Without Assignment
- 11/06/1989- 7/02/1990: Leave of Absence
- 7/02/1990 -6/17/1991: UPMC Shadyside Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 6/17/1996 -7/01/2009: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 7/01/2009 -11/01/2009: UPMC Shadyside Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 6/25/2012 – Present: St John Vianney Manor (Pittsburgh, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Richard Terdine:
Father Richard Terdine was ordained a priest in 1965, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, in April 2003, an allegation was reported that Father Terdine sexually abused a 16-year-old boy who worked part-time at the rectory of St. Peter’s church. The report revealed that in December 1988, Terdine touched or patted the genital area of the boy on two to three occasions, gave the boy an x-rated videotape to watch, provided him with condoms, and massaged his back.
Shortly afterward, Diocese of Pittsburgh officials met with Terdine to discuss the allegations. The priest denied any sexual touching of the boy. However, he did admit that he gave the boy an x- rated video as well as condoms. He stated that he wanted to educate the boy because he seemed naïve about human sexuality.
Terdine subsequently resigned from his assignment at St. Peter. The Diocese of Pittsburgh sent him to St. Luke Institute for a psychological evaluation. In May 1990, St. Luke’s provided the Diocese with an assessment of Terdine that said did not have a sexual behavior disorder.
As a result of the findings and Terdine’s actions, the Board recommended he not be assigned to any parish. He was then placed in restricted ministry and assigned as the chaplain at UPMC Hospitals throughout Pittsburgh. He was first named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.
Father Terdine is still employed by the Diocese of Pittsburgh and resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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.