Retired Allentown Priest Says He Sexually Abused Minor In 1980s, Diocese Says
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- The Diocese of Allentown says an 87-year-old priest recently said he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s. Stephen J. Halabura has been barred from ministry.
Halabura was ordained in 1961 and retired 11 years ago. Since his retirement he had been serving as a substitute priest.
After he notified officials of the abuse in May, the diocese investigated and found the account to be credible. The matter has been referred to law enforcement.
In a news release Friday, the diocese said the abuse occurred at the former St. Anthony of Padua parish in Millmont, Berks County, where Halabura was assigned from 1971 to 1984. The parish later was merged into St. John Baptist de la Salle in Shillington.
Halabura had eight other assignments between 1961 and 2008.
(©Copyright 2019 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)