Father Paul Pindel
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1951
Leave of absence: 9189
Died: 1991
Assigned as follows:
- St. Stanislaus Church (Ambridge, PA)
- St John Cantius (Sharpsburg, PA)
- St. Robert Bellarmine (East McKeesport, PA)
- Holy Family (Lawrenceville, PA)
- Holy Angels (Hays, PA)
- St. William (East Pittsburgh, PA)
- St Martin (West End, PA)
- St. Rose of Lima Church & St. Ann Church (Beaver County, PA)
- Gilmary School (Coraopolis, PA)
- St Genevieve Church (Canonsburg, PA)
- St. Hyacinth Church (Oakland, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Paul Pindel:
Father Paul Pindel was ordained a priest in 1951, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, was identified by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on a list of clergy who were already deceased when allegations of child sexual abuse were filed against them.
The Diocese received an allegation in February, 2002 regarding Pindel. It was alleged that Pindel engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a minor who was a student in eighth or ninth grade at St. William. This occurred in the 1960's. The victim advised that Pindel would often take boys to a farm that he owned. During a visit to the farm, the victim was given wine. Pindel then performed oral sex on him and "simulated anal intercourse."
In May, 2003, the Diocese received an allegation that Pindel engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a minor who was an eighth grade student at St. William around the year 1965. According to the victim, once he entered high school, Pindel had senior boys threaten and beat him up so that he would not disclose the prior sexual contact. According to the victim, he attempted several times to discuss what happened to him but was told it would never go anywhere because they would believe a priest over a boy.
The Diocese received an allegation of inappropriate sexual contact in August, 2011 regarding Pindel and a minor between the ages of six and nine that occurred between 1980 and 1984 in Washington County. The victim stated that the abuse began when he was six years old and attending CCD classes. He related that he would be pulled out of class by Pindel and taken to the rectory where he would be sexual assaulted. The victim was instructed by Pindel to put on a red robe and lay across the desk. Pindel then inserted his fingers into the victim's anus. It was very painful. The victim reported that eventually Pindel started using a number two pencil. This went on for three years. The victim advised that there was an usher who would watch the door so that no one would enter. The usher would also touched the victim inappropriately on occasion. The Diocese offered the victim assistance in finding counseling services and provided reimbursement for treatment.
In April 2012, the Diocese of Pittsburgh received an allegation from an adult male that Father Paul E. Pindel inappropriately touched him when he was between 13 and 15 years of age. This occurred from 1957 through 1960 in Allegheny County and Butler County. The male reported that he and other boys would frequently go places with Pindel. On one occasion, Pindel took him and his brother to the farm where Pindel' s sister lived. They spent the night there. Pindel slept between him and his brother on a mattress on the floor and inappropriately touched him during the night.
In yet another case, Pindel is alleged to have sexually abused a pregnant teenager who met with him for marriage counseling in 1982 in a the rectory of St. Genevieve Church in Canonsburg. Father Pindel reportedly told the teenage girl she needed to undergo individual counseling with him prior to marriage and met in the rectory. According to that claim, the Diocese ignored her father's complaint.
Pindel was first named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. He died in 1991 at age 65 after being ordained in ministry for 40 years. He is buried at Saint Josephat's Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, 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.