Father Robert Moslener
Diocese of Greensburg
Ordained: 1976
Inpatient evaluation/treatment: 1979, 1987, 2002
Suspended/Permanently removed: 2002
Laicized (removed from priesthood): 2005
Assigned as follows:
- 1976 – 1978: St. John the Baptist (Scottsdale, PA)
- 1978 – 1979: St. Agnes (North Huntingdon, PA)
- 1979 – 1985: St. Joseph (New Kensington, PA)
- 1985 – 1986: St. Pius X (Mt. Pleasant, PA)
- 1986 – 1987: Saints Simon and Jude (Blairsville, PA)
- 1987: St. Luke institute (inpatient treatment)
- 1987 – 1988: Holy Cross (Iselin, PA)
- 1988 – 1992: Assumption Hall, Sisters of Charity Retirement Home (Greensburg, PA)
- 1992 – 1996: St. Patrick (Brady’s Bend, PA)
- 1996 – 2002: St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart (Yatesboro, PA)
- 2002: The Anodos Center (inpatient treatment)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Robert Moslener:
Fr. Robert Moslener was ordained a priest in 1976, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg. According to media reports, in 2018, he was first named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report. It revealed: “[The Bishops of Greensburg] permitted Moslener to continue in ministry for 22 years after the initial complaint of child sexual abuse against him and the numerous reports of child sexual assault which followed. During that time, Moslener continued to prey on innocent children within the Diocese of Greensburg.”
In 1979 and 1980, not long after his ordination, Father Robert Moslener was the subject of allegations that he sexually abused a 15 year old boy. The Diocese of Greensburg responded by sending him for a psychiatric evaluation, and then assigned him to St. Joseph in New Kensington. According to internal diocesan documents, the diocese saw Moslener’s abuse as a single incident and that the victim in question as an “acceptable yet understandable waystation” on the Moslener’s journey toward “more adult sexual integration.” The boy was just a healthy experiment, according to Diocesan officials.
In April 1986, the North Huntingdon Township Police Department advised the Diocese of Greensburg that Moslener had been investigated for committing sexual acts against underaged males (plural) and that there was evidence to substantiate the charges. However, Moslener was never prosecuted. Instead, he remained in ministry for nearly two more decades.
Also in 1986, several “elementary to middle school aged children” gave statements to the Diocese of Greensburg that Moslener, their religion teacher, was asking them uncomfortable questions about their masturbation habits and even described the Virgin Mary licking Baby Jesus clean after his birth. One letter discussed the graphic discussion Moselener had with a child about the physical effects of masturbation.
In response, the Bishop ordered Moslener put “on ice” while the hysteria died down. Moslener was also sent for a psychological evaluation given the increased threat of scandal to the Church. Over his objection, Moslener was ordered to St. Luke Institute, a notorious treatment facility for pedophile priests, in Suitland, Maryland.
Upon his discharge, Moslener was reassigned to active ministry as a parish priest several more times.
In 1999, still another victim contacted the Diocese to report his sexual abuse by Moslener. No details about the allegation were contained in the grand jury report, but that may be because there are no notes or documents contained in Moslener’s file until his suspension from ministry several years later.
Despite the 1999 allegation (and those that came before it), Moslener remained in active ministry until 2002. Two months after the scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston became regular national news, Bishop Bosco placed him on administrative leave (suspension).
In 2003, a fifth victim came forward to report that he was sexually abused as a child.
In 2013, a sixth victim reported that he and his siblings were sexually abused by Moslener at St. Joseph.
Moslener was laicized (removed from the priesthood) by the Vatican in 2005, along with several other accused priests.
Moslener is now 74 years old. He is believed to be residing in the Pittsburgh area.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Greensburg. 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 Greensburg 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 legal options today.