Priest charged with sexual assault found not guilty
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh priest accused of sexual assault has been found not guilty.
Father Robert Cedolia was found not guilty on Monday after being at the center of a sexual assault case. He was originally charged with aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, sexual assault and corruption of minors. He was acquitted of all charges. Cedolia maintained his innocence through the legal processes.
In 2019, he was accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1990s as pastor of Our Lady of Joy Parish in Holiday Park. He was later placed on administrative leave by the district.
KDKA-TV asked Bishop David Zubik on Monday if Cedolia will return to work.
"We have to close the loop by also informing the Holy See of Rome about the situation," Zubik said. "The thing that would happen next after we consult with them is that his faculties will be restored."
Whether Cedolia, who is near retirement age, would even want to come back would be up to him. With his faculties restored, he can now celebrate mass in public, put on clerical clothes and identify himself as a priest again.
Bishop Zubik released a statement on Monday, saying:
"The not guilty verdict reached in criminal court for Father Robert Cedolia represents the conclusion of a nearly four-year period since an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was filed against him. Father Cedolia was in active ministry for 41 years. He has maintained his innocence throughout these proceedings. The civil court ruling is consistent with the finding of the diocesan Independent Review Board, which found no merit in the claim. May our words, our deeds, and our prayers, always reflect the healing love of Jesus."
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released a statement, saying:
"It is shocking that jurors found Cedolia not guilty of these crimes despite the great work of the prosecutors. We applaud and stand firmly in the belief of the victim in this case who bravely shared his truth while taking the stand."