Father Arthur R. Merrell
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained:1970
Resigned: 1998
Assigned as follows:
- Allegheny County Jail and Shuman Juvenile Detention Center
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Arthur R. Merrell:
According to media reports, in September 1997, the Diocese of Pittsburgh received a report that Father Arthur Merrell had inappropriately touched a boy under the age of 15. Merrell confessed and withdrew from the priestly ministry in February 1998. The Diocese of Pittsburgh did not forward the information to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.
A handwritten note in the file dated February 2, 1998, detailed a sexual relationship that Merrell had with a mentally ill man. The victim stated that he and Merrell masturbated together and that Merrell stuck his finger up the victim’s rectum and they kissed on several occasions. Merrell admitted to these acts.
A report by Pittsburgh’s Action News Investigates found that Merrell was able to become a state-licensed counselor in 2003, 5 years after he resigned from the priesthood. In 2011, he was charged with fondling a 14-year-old boy. He pleaded no contest to indecent assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children, causing the state to revoke his counseling license.
He was not required to register as a sex offender as part of his conviction and he still resides in the Pittsburgh area.
He was first named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.
Horowitz Law has represented multiple victims of Fr. Arthur Merrell. One civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Pittsburgh, filed in July 2020, remains pending.
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.