Father Joseph Tamilowski
Diocese of Greensburg
Ordained: 1968
Born: 1928
Died: 1994
Retired (in good standing): 1994
Assigned as follows:
- 1954 – 1956: Transfiguration (Mt. Pleasant, PA)
- 1956 – 1959: St. Mary (New Kensington, PA)
- 1959 – 1960: St. Hyacinth (Monessen, PA)
- 1960 – 1967: Assumption (Leechburg, PA) and the Mission of St. Mary Church (Schenley, PA)
- 1967 -1971: Holy Spirit (Fayette City, PA)
- 1971 – Unknown: St. Barbara (Harrison City, PA)
- 1977 – 1984: St. Hyacinth (Monessen, PA)
- 1984 – 1994: St. Joseph (Uniontown, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Joseph Tamilowski:
Fr. Joseph Tamilowski was ordained a priest in 1968, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg. According to media reports, in 2018, he was first named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report. It revealed the Diocese of Greensburg received a report from a victim alleging that Father Joseph A. Tamilowski touched him in a sexually inappropriate way during his service as an altar boy at Assumption in Leechburg and the Mission of St. Mary.
According to the victim, on several occasions Tamilowski pushed him into the corner of the Sacristy and grabbed him by the genitals. The victim stated that Tamilowski threatened him, telling him that if he told anyone, no one would believe him over a priest. Unfortunately, the boy knew his abuser was correct as the victim’s stepfather would not allow any criticisms of the priest in the family home.
According the grand jury report, the victim approached the Diocese of Greensburg “many years” before filing his 2002 report of the assault, but was told not to “rock the boat” further. The grand jury report is not clear exactly when this threat of secrecy occurred.
Even with the reported abuse, Tamilowski continued to serve as a pastor within the Diocese of Greensburg up until illness forced him to resign in 1994.
Tamilowski passed away during the same calendar year in good standing with the Diocese.
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 [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.