Father John Unger
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1942 Died: 2004
Assigned as follows:
- Sacred Heart Elementary School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John Unger:
Father John Unger was ordained a priest in 1942, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, in November 2018, a man sued the Diocese of Pittsburgh alleging that Father Unger repeatedly sexually abused him starting when he was a 10-year-old boy from 1969 until 1971. The alleged victim was in the fourth grade at Sacred Heart Elementary School, where Unger was a priest at the parish. The man said Unger would take him out of class to help the priest clean erasers, then led him to a secluded choir room and raped him. He said he asked "why?" and Unger told him it made him a bona fide member of the Catholic Church, and not to tell. He said Unger sexually abused him multiple times in the school and in church buildings. He also said Unger threatened to harm him and his family if he ever told anyone. The man also said other boys at the school were sexually abused, as well, and that they called the priest "Monster Unger.. ." Two of the other boys, reportedly later died by suicide. Unger died in 2004 as a retired priest in good standing. He was first named publicly as accused in a lawsuit announced in November 2018. Unger's name was not disclosed in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. 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.