In the wake of controversy within the Diocese of Greensburg, Father John Moineau is set to be reassigned to several parishes following his resignation earlier in the year. According to a statement detailed by WPXI, the reassignment comes after Father Moineau stepped down from his role after hiring an employee with a criminal background, which he did not properly vet.
In what has become a controversial topic, Moineau will begin serving four parishes in Lower Burrell and New Kensington starting October 23. His previous role had been as pastor of parishes in North Huntingdon and Irwin. This sequence of events ignited after Shon Harrity, the employee in question with a historical thread of criminal sexual activity, was arrested in May and accused of raping a child under 16.
The staff member, Harrity, has significant criminal charges against him, including indecent exposure, open lewdness, drug charges, and, most recently, allegations of sexual assault against a minor. In a statement reported by WPXI, Greensburg Diocese Bishop Larry Kulick announced that Moineau's failure to follow church procedure was a "negligent administration." However, Moineau or the staff committed no criminal act.
As part of the response to this ordeal, Bishop Kulick highlighted that the diocese is undertaking a comprehensive review of nearly 8,000 employee and volunteer files across every parish and school in the diocese's four counties. This is seemingly to ensure that such oversight does not occur again. Furthermore, according to information from WTAE, there will be supplemental training for every pastor and safe environment coordinator to fortify the protection of congregation members—especially the youth.
