Father Oswald Romero
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1950
Retired: 1993
Died: 1997
Assigned as follows:
- 1955-1965: St. Francis Borja HS (Quito, Ecuador)
- 1961-1965: Jesuit College & University (Quito, Ecuador)
- 1961-1965: Catholic University (Quito, Ecuador)
- 1966-1977: University of Pittsburgh
- 1977-1993: Chaplin, St. Joseph House of Hospitality (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 1991-1997: St. Mary of Mercy, (Pittsburgh, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Oswald Romero:
Father Oswald Romero was ordained a priest in 1950, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, in April 2006, a 53-year-old man came forward with allegations that Father Romero had sexually abused him when he was between the ages of 13 and 14, in 1966 or 1967. This occurred when Romero was assisting at a parish in a suburb of Pittsburgh.
While Romero was never assigned to St. Regis, he would assist the parish at various times. As a young teenager, the victim thought Romero was friendly and trusted him enough to enter his car while at a local park. Romero asked the victim if he wanted a driving lesson. Eager to learn, the victim got into the car. Romero instructed him to sit on his lap so it would be easier to use the stick shift along with the gas and brake pedals.
Nothing happened during this lesson and Romero drove him home without incident. A few weeks later, Romero inquired if the victim wanted another driving instruction in the same park. The victim accepted the offer. It was much later in the day than the previous lesson when they arrived at the park.
The victim stated that Romero soon began to rub his leg and eventually his genitals. Romero then proceeded to perform oral sex on him. It was only when Romero realized that he could not finish the sexual act that he stopped.
The victim stated he felt immobile during the abuse and the moment Romeo stopped, he jumped out of the car and fled home.
During the interview, the victim noted that he suffered from severe depression and prescription drugs as a result of trauma from abuse. He noted that he had sought psychological treatment in the past. The allegations were brought to the attention of the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.
Romero died in 1997.
He was first 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.