Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua – Diocese of Pittsburgh

| Dec 4, 2018 | Catholic Church

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua

Diocese of Pittsburgh

Ordained: 1949

Death: 2012

Assigned as Follows:

  • 1983-1987: Bishop of Pittsburgh
  • 1988-1991: Archbishop of Philadelphia
  • 1991-2003: Cardinal
  • 2003: Retired

Summary of Allegations Against Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua:

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was ordained a priest in 1949, who served as Bishop in the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1983 to 1987. He took over as Archbishop of Philadelphia in 1987 and served in the role until 2003. According to media reports, in September 2018, he was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a San Diego woman, alleging that the priest repeatedly sexually assaulted her for years as a child between 1978 and 1985. The alleged abuse began when she was 5 years old and continued until she was 13.

The victim said that Father Bevilacqua visited St. Gabriel’s, took the victim behind a partition, and inappropriately touched her chest. This lawsuit was filed by lawyer Alan Perer along with a second lawsuit against the Diocese of Pittsburgh. It is alleged that Bishop David Zubik and Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Diocese of Pittsburgh knew of the abuse and predatory nature of Bevilacqua and two other priests yet continued to place them in ministry.

In a 2011 grand jury report, Father Bevilacqua was reported to have moved problem priests to other parishes without warning of their history of sexual abuse.

Bevilacqua died in January 2012.

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 [email protected] to discuss your options today.