Father Roger Trott
Diocese of Greensburg
Ordained: 1970
Discharged from treatment: 1988
Arrested/Guilty plea: 1987
Inpatient treatment: 1987-1988
Laicized (removed from priesthood): 2004
Died: 2017
Assigned as follows:
- 1970-1975: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral (Greensburg, PA)
- 1975-1982: Holy Trinity (Ligonier, PA)
- 1982-1985: St. Matthew (Saltsburg, PA)
- 1985-1987: St. John the Baptist de La Salle (Delmont, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Roger Trott:
Fr. Roger Trott was ordained a priest in 1970, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg. According to media reports, in 2018, he was named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report. The report revealed the families of 12 altar boys at St. John Baptist de La Salle accused Father Roger Trott of sexually abusing their sons. The report does not include any details about the nature and context of the abuse, except to say that it sometimes occurred on "outings" arranged by Trott, and in the St. John rectory. Trott confessed to the allegations in a written statement.
Criminal charges were later filed against Trott, including allegations that he fondled/masturbated four of the boys, and performed oral sex on the other eight. According to court records, Father Trott reportedly admitted to fondling, masturbating and using the boys for "selfish sexual gratification." According to the grand jury report, one of the victims was not a minor, but was a 21 year old man with Down Syndrome. This particular victim was treated for a lower bowel injury that doctors said was directly linked to his abuse by Trott, suggesting that he was repeatedly and forcibly sodomized to the point that his bowel was damaged. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon condition for some survivors of sexual abuse.
Trott later pled guilty to one count of corruption of minors as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to five years probation and inpatient treatment at St. Luke's Institute, a notorious treatment facility for pedophile priests in Suitland, Maryland. He was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 for a period of five years. The Diocese of Greensburg also agreed that his faculties to minister would be suspended until a formal psychological evaluation could be performed, presumably referring to St. Luke's.
In April 2002, an adult male made a report to the Diocese of Greensburg that he was sexually abused by Trott in 1973 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, when he was about 10 years old. The man later filed a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Greensburg that was settled.
According to church files, in the mid-1990s, Trott wrote letters to Bishop Bosco asking for permission to return to ministry upon completion of his five years' probation. Reportedly Bosco reassured Trott that he wouldn't interfere if a "benevolent Bishop" granted him a new assignment in another diocese, however the Bishop of Greensburg would be required to inform any future clergy of Trott's previous misconduct. He made a second attempt by seeking out Bishop Connare, who had since retired, but Bishop Bosco did not agree to reinstate him. While it appears that Trott eventually related to New York, it does not appear that he ever performed priestly duties again.
In 2004, the newly-appointed Bishop of Greensburg asked Trott to petition the Vatican for laicization (removal from the priesthood). The Vatican granted Trott's request not long afterward.
Trott died in 2017 in Florida.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Greensburg. 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 Greensburg 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 adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your legal options today.