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Priest accused of molesting child in Elizabeth 50 years ago

PITTSBURGH — Authorities are investigating a claim that a Boston priest molested a child in Elizabeth more than 50 years ago.

The Rev. John P. Carroll, a priest from the Archdiocese of Boston, has been accused of sexually abusing a minor while he was assigned at St. Michael Parish in Elizabeth, officials of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh disclosed Sunday.

They learned about the allegation from Boston church officials Aug. 5 and alerted authorities here.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik warned St. Michael Parish and all the parishes where Carroll served of the allegation in a letter this weekend.

"I urge anyone who has been abused by any person representing the church to notify civil authorities and to contact the diocese to obtain assistance with counseling to help with recovery from abuse," Zubik wrote.

Carroll worked at the Pittsburgh Diocese from 1962 to 1972, including his stint at St. Michael. He also worked at St. Isaac Jogues in Elrama, St. Margaret in Green Tree, St. Susanna in Penn Hills, St. Alphonsus in Springdale and St. Denis in Versailles, now called St. Patrick in McKeesport.

On Aug. 3, the diocese announced that Zubik had placed the Rev. John Fitzgerald, 66, the pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Conway, on administrative leave pending investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

This year, the diocese disclosed that 22 victims had made complaints against nine Marianist brothers at the former North Catholic High School.

This article was written by Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE.