Father Bernard Joseph Hartman
Diocese of Pittsburgh (Marianist)
Ordained: 1958
Assigned as Follows:
- St. Paul’s College (Altona, Melbourne, Australia)
- North Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Summary of Allegations Against Father Bernard Joseph Hartman:
Fr. Bernard Joseph Hartman was ordained a Marianist priest in 1958, who worked in Australia before he served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, he has been accused of sexually abusing multiple teens and children, both boys and girls, while assigned in the Australian State of Victoria.
Father “Bernie” taught at North Catholic High School in the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1986 to 1997. He was removed in 1997 after the Marianists in the United States heard about his previous child sexual abuse allegations in Australia. He was sent away for treatment, then given an internal assignment.
Another victim from Australia came forward in 1999. She alleged that Father Hartman abused her when she was 8 years old. Hartman admitted to his illicit activity and wrote a letter of apology to the woman. He moved to Dayton, Ohio, after his 50th anniversary as a Marianist. While there, he received more accusations from Australia.
In 2013, he returned to Australia where he was convicted of sexually abusing two girls and a boy, some of which were under ten years old. He was also accused of abuse by two victims at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He was released from jail in Australia after three years in 2017. He returned to the United States where he was ordered to live under supervision and was not allowed to minister externally.
Hartman is believed to be residing in an undisclosed, non-Marianist facility located neither in Pennsylvania or Ohio.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.