Diocese board to review employee background concerns at Irwin-area parishes

Westmoreland County detectives have found no evidence of criminal activity at two Irwin-area Catholic parishes after looking into the Greensburg Diocese’s concerns about a possible cover-up of a former employee’s criminal record.

But the diocese, which went public with its concerns at the end of May, is continuing its own investigation at the parishes — Irwin’s Immaculate Conception and North Huntingdon’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

A Diocesan Review Board is set to consider findings before the end of August.

Penn Township resident Chris Peta is among Irwin parishioners upset by the related late May resignation of the Rev. John Moineau as pastor of the two parishes, a resignation that was requested by Bishop Larry J. Kulick. Since then, Peta estimated 70 or more members of the local flock have departed for other parishes — a figure that couldn’t be accounted for by diocesan officials.

Peta argued that there has been a “rush to judgment” concerning Moineau’s level of culpability in oversight of employee background checks.

“This is truly a terrible injustice,” Peta said. “It has definitely hurt Father John.”

Kulick has cited “serious and unacceptable administrative failures which call into question the higher standards we have worked so hard to implement.”

Moineau celebrates Mass privately in his home. He retains his status as a priest, continuing to receive related pay and benefits, according to the diocese.

He began a medical leave on June 17 as he battles pancreatic cancer.

“Based on the outcome of the canonical investigation, he could return to public ministry in some form,” the diocese said. “However, Bishop Kulick emphasizes he will not return as a pastor or administrator of any parish.”

Peta faulted diocesan leaders for keeping church members in the dark about the progress of the investigations.

“They promised transparency, and we’ve heard nothing,” Peta said.

“We do not comment on ongoing criminal investigations,” said Cliff Gorski, a spokesman for the diocese. “When the canonical investigation is completed, its results will be communicated.”

In May, the diocese expressed concern about a potential conspiracy to conceal the former employee’s criminal background.

The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office “has fully investigated the issues brought forth by the Diocese of Greensburg,” spokeswoman Melanie Jones said Thursday. “At this time, no criminal activity has been found. If any new information is brought to light, it will be investigated.”

The canonical investigation looks into “possible culpable negligence for actions or omissions resulting in harm or scandal,” according to the diocese.

During the investigation, three parish staff members have been placed on administrative leave — at least two of whom knew about the former employee’s criminal record, the diocese said.

Evidence collected by independent private investigators will be presented to the Diocesan Review Board, which serves as a confidential consultative body to the bishop. That board includes both clergy and lay members with various expertise in law, psychology, child services, administration and education.

“The Review Board will examine the level to which church law and diocesan policy was violated and make recommendations to the bishop about the status of the employees and the pastor,” the diocese said.

The criminal record issue came to light with the May 8 arrest of Shon M. Harrity, 47, of North Huntingdon on charges of rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and related offenses. Harrity, who had worked at the Irwin parish cemetery, was accused by township police of sexually assaulting a girl for two years.

Harrity, who is free on bond and awaiting trial, has denied those charges, said his attorney, Patrick J. Thomassey.

Those charges are unrelated to Harrity’s work for the parish.

But, after police filed the charges, diocesan officials discovered Harrity has a criminal record dating to the early 2000s, including guilty pleas of indecent exposure, open lewdness, obscene disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

According to the diocese, Harrity was employed at the North Huntingdon parish beginning in 2012. In 2023, when he was transferred to the Irwin parish cemetery, his employee file was electronically forwarded, disclosing that an FBI background check had disqualified him for employment.

At the Irwin parish, the safe environment coordinator failed to flag Harrity’s file, according to the diocese, which said a recent audit revealed several required clearance documents were missing from the file.

In a video recorded for parishioners in June, Moineau acknowledged he was negligent in his oversight of Harrity’s background records.

“Although I was not aware of this employee’s criminal background, it was my responsibility to know,” Moineau said. “I was the pastor when his clearances were renewed in 2020, and they showed he was disqualified from employment by the state and the church.

“I signed a letter stating I personally reviewed his clearances. I did not. And for that, I am sorry for this act of negligence.”

He said he supported having the district attorney’s office investigate the situation and is fully cooperating with the canonical investigation.

“I’ve been told that some of you have called to cancel your baptism or other sacraments,” Moineau said in the video. “Others have pulled their children from ministry or themselves from volunteering and still others have cut off financial support for our missions and ministries. That is not what we are about….

“I do not want anger to destroy what our faith community has worked so hard to build.”

Moineau urged members of the two Irwin-area parishes to continue to support the parish staff and his successor pastor, attend Mass and be involved in other parish activities. He also urged support for Kulick, who he said “is doing exactly what he must do to protect God’s children in our diocese.”