Father Bruno Tucci
Diocese of Allentown
Ordained: 1971
Retired: 2002
Laicized (removed from priesthood): 2007
Assigned as follows:
- 1971-1972: St. Margaret (Reading, PA)
- 1972: Cardinal Brennan High School (Fountain Spring, PA)
- 1972: Annunciation (Shenandoah, PA)
- 1972-1974: St. Canicus (Mahanoy City, PA)
- 1972-1977: Marian High School (Tamaqua, PA)
- 1974-1975: Ss. Peter and Paul (Lehighton, PA)
- 1975-1977: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nesquehoning, PA)
- 1975: Marian High School (Tamaqua, PA)
- 1977-1979: Holy Name High School (Reading, PA)
- 1977: St. Columbkill (Boyertown, PA)
- 1977-1978: Most Blessed Sacrament (Bally, PA)
- 1978-1981: St. Peter (Reading, PA)
- 1979-1981: Central Catholic High School (Reading, PA)
- 1981-1986: Immaculate Conception (Kelayres, PA)
- 1986-2002: Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Immaculate Conception (Nesquehoning, PA)
- 2002: Retired
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Bruno Tucci:
Fr. Bruno Tucci was ordained a priest in 1971, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Allentown. According to media reports, in 2018, his name was included on the Diocese of Allentown list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. He was also named publicly as accused in the 2018 PA Grand Jury report, which stated the "Diocese of Allentown became aware of Fr. Bruno Tucci's abuse of children in 1991."
At that time, a man reported being abused as a 14-year-old boy, but no details are provided as to the date or Tucci's assignment at the time of the alleged abuse. The man alleged he was fondled by Tucci several times under the guise of tickling the boy. Tucci admitted to the allegations when confronted. He sought to minimize his conduct by calling it "just fondling," rather than actual sodomy. Like many other accused priests in the Diocese of Allentown, Tucci was sent to the notorious Servants of the Paraclete facility in New Mexico, and then returned to ministry as if nothing had happened.
According to media reports, in 1993, the same victim approached the Diocese again, outraged that Tucci was still working as a priest. He asked to confront Tucci personally. It did not happen.
Almost a decade later, in February 2002, while several other priests were being confronted with past allegations about their wrongdoing, Tucci reportedly again met with the Chancery of the Diocese of Allentown and admitted his guilt. He offered to retire. Four days later, the Bishop of Allentown accepted Tucci's resignation and his retirement became effective in March 2002.
In May 2002, the Diocese received a letter from another victim stating that he was molested by Tucci between 1977 and 1978 as a child. Tucci did not deny the allegation when confronted, stating only that he did not recall it.
In 2005, Tucci applied for laicization (dismissal from the priesthood). It was granted by the Vatican in 2007.
According to media reports, in 2013, Tucci was arrested by Maryland officials on charges that he sexually abused a boy in August 1981 at an Ocean City, Maryland, motel. There is no statute of limitations on certain sex crimes against children in Maryland. Charges were ultimately dropped, though the court docket is unclear as to the reason why.
Tucci is believed to be residing in the Salisbury, Maryland area.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Allentown. 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 Allentown may have legal options against the Diocese of Allentown.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.