Father Joseph Karabin
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1974
Assigned as Follows:
- 1974-1979: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Midland, PA)
- 1979-1980: St. Joan of Arc (Library, PA)
- 1980: St. Joseph the Worker (New Castle, PA)
- 1980-1981: Holy Name (Duquesne, PA)
- 1981-1986: St. Albert the Great (Baldwin, PA)
- 1986-2002: Braddock Hospital and Good Shepherd (Braddock, PA)
Summary of Allegations Against Father Joseph Karabin:
Father Joseph Karabin was ordained a priest in 1974, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, the first allegation against him surfaced in March 1980, when a victim reported that the priest sexually abused him as a child while Karabin was assigned at St. Joan of Arc. He was sent to the House of Affirmation for treatment, and then continued with active ministry.
In 1985, Father Karabin was placed on leave due to a report of abuse of an 8th grade boy. He was sent to St. Luke Institute for evaluation and treatment, and then reassigned to non-parish ministries.
In 1991, another victim told the Secretary for Clergy/Religious and Vicar for Clergy, reported that Father Karabin had sexually abused him when he was a 13- or 14-year-old altar boy. He described being undressed and inappropriately touched by Karabin, who also tried to anally penetrate him. When confronted, Father Karabin said he was an alcoholic at the time and did not remember whether or not anything had happened between him and the boy. He then confessed to sexually abusing two other boys.
He was also accused in 1997 of sexually abusing of a college youth.
In 2002, Father Karabin’s faculties were removed, although the Diocese of Pittsburgh continued to pay his living stipend for many years. In April and September 2004, he was named in two more civil suits alleging child sexual abuse. In September 2007, the claims were included in the diocese’s $1.25M settlement with 32 plaintiffs alleging abuse by 17 priests.
Karabin died in 2016. He was named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.
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.