Monsignor Louis Lorei
Diocese of Erie
Ordained: 1947
Death: 1986
Assigned as follows:
- 1981 – 1985: Pastor, Our Lady of Peace (Erie, PA)
- Unknown: Possibly Gannon University
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Msgr. Louis Lorei:
Msgr. Louis Lorei was ordained a priest in 1947, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Erie. According to media reports, in 2009, the Diocese of Erie received a report from a priest that two of his parishioners told him that their son was molested by Msgr. Louis Lorei during the early 1980s. The victim reported that he was abused while he was an altar boy at Our Lady of Peace school when he was 11 or 12 years old. Lorei was soon removed by then-Bishop Murphy.
According to media reports, in 2018, his name was included on the Diocese of Erie updated list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. He was also named publicly as accused in the 2018 PA Grand Jury report. After a review of the file, Bishop Donald Trautman himself opined that the move was likely in response to “some kind of significant event,” according to the grand jury report.
This was the second victim identified to the priest making the 2009 report. In 2007, the same priest received information that a different man – who was also the son of a parishioner- alleged he was sexually abused by Lorei as a child. No additional details are contained in the grand jury report, except to say that notes stated the allegation was not investigated because the victim himself did not come forward.
Despite serving a grand jury subpoena to the Diocese of Erie for Lorei’s personnel file(s), the Diocese refused to produce them, so the exact number and nature of the allegations against Lorei that are known to the Diocese of Erie is not publicly known.
Lorei died in 1986 as a priest in good standing with the church.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Erie. 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 Erie may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.