Father Francis Meder
Diocese of Pittsburgh (Marianist)
Ordained: N/A
Died: 1976
Assigned as follows:
- Cardinal Gibbons High School (Baltimore, MD)
- Archbishop Moeller High School (Cincinnati, OH)
- Cathedral Latin School (Cleveland, OH)
- Chaminade High School (Dayton, OH)
- Chaminade High School (Mineola, NY)
- Holy Trinity (Brooklyn, NY)
- North Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Saint Louis School (Honolulu, HI)
- St. Anthony (Maui, HI)
- St. James (San Francisco, CA)
- St. Joseph Grade School (San Francisco, CA)
- St. Mary’s Grade School and High School (Stockton, CA)
- University of Dayton (Dayton, OH)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Francis “Frank” Meder:
Father Francis “Frank” Meder was ordained a priest who served in multiple parishes including in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, in August 2011, Bishop Zubik received a letter from an adult female who reported that Brother Frank Meder inappropriately touched her in the late 1950s when she was approximately 8 or 9 years old. She stated that Meder would invite the Troy Hill neighborhood children into the North Catholic High School to give them leftovers from the cafeteria, such as drinks or candy. She stated that she followed Meder into his office and sat on his lap. He then fondled her. She stated that this abuse occurred to many children who visited the school.
Four Allegations Against Frank Meder in a 2 Month Time Span
In April 2014, an adult male contacted the Diocese of Pittsburgh to report that he also had been abused by Meder when he was approximately 10 or 11 years of age (1953 or 1954). He stated that Meder invited the Troy Hill neighborhood children into North Catholic High Shool to see his stamp collection on Saturdays. Meder then took each child into his office located behind the kitchen and molested them. He reported that this occurred for at least two years. He also reported abuse by Brother Hildebrand.
In May 2014, another adult male reported inappropriate sexual contact by Meder that occurred between 1955 and 1957 at North Catholic High School, when he was approximately 8 to 10 years of age. His mother worked at the school. After his father died, Meder offered to cut his hair as well as his brother’s for free in order to help his mother save money. During these monthly haircuts (which always occurred on Saturdays), Meder would rub the boys’ thighs and smack their buttocks. Meder would then give them a bag of chips and some pop.
That same month, a third adult male contacted the Diocese of Pittsburgh to report inappropriate sexual contact by Meder that occurred in the mid -1960’s at North Catholic High School when he was approximately nine to 10 years old. He stated that he and other children from the Troy Hill neighborhood encountered Meder in the summer Meder invited them into the school where he took each child into his office, one at a time. He reported trhe priest gave them candy, but only after he spanked them. This occurred on approximately six occasions.
A fourth adult male contacted the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the same time span to report sexual abuse by Meder in 1953 or 1954 when he was 10 or 11 years old. He stated that Meder invited the children into North Catholic High School on Saturdays. He often gave the children pop and candy. He would then line the children up, and have them take turns sitting on his lap in a rocking chair in his office. The office was located behind the kitchen. He recalled that as a child, he “always wondered what was in Brother Franks’ pants.” When he got older, he realized that Brother Frank had an erection.
The victims were informed that the incidents would be reported to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and to the Provincial for the Marianist community.
Frank Meder died in 1976. He was named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. His name was included on the Marianists US Province list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse released in June 2020.
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.