Diocese of Greensburg calls for police investigation into possible conspiracy to conceal employee’s criminal past

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Diocese of Greensburg has asked law enforcement in Westmoreland County to investigate a possible conspiracy to cover up the criminal past of a parish employee.

In a press release on Tuesday, the diocese said a priest had resigned and three parish staff members were on leave. Bishop Larry Kulick had called for an investigation into “possible culpable negligence for acts or omissions that resulted in harm or scandal.”

The news release said Shon Harrity of North Huntingdon was charged Wednesday with eight felonies, including sexual abuse of a minor. The diocese said the charges were unrelated to his job. He was an employee at the cemetery at Immaculate Conception Parish in Irwin. Before that, Harrity worked at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in North Huntingdon, the diocese said.

After his arrest, the diocese discovered “Harrity’s criminal record, including guilty pleas to public nuisance, open lewdness, obscene disturbance, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance dating back to the early 2000s.”

The diocese further stated that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish “created a file on Harrity that included an FBI fingerprint check that clearly disqualified him for employment.” The diocese stated that the file was sent via email when Harrity transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish in 2023.

“However, the Safe Environment Coordinator there did not mark the file. During an audit last week, it was discovered that several required release documents were missing from the file,” the diocese said in a press release.

Father John Monieau had “previously confirmed the validity of all permits in his parishes and signed a letter to the bishop stating that he had personally verified them,” the diocese said. His resignation takes effect immediately.

The three parish employees have been placed on leave until the investigation is completed, the diocese said.

In a statement, Bishop Kulick said he was “beyond disappointed that our tireless efforts to raise the bar on training on safe environments, required permits and transparency have been blatantly disregarded. It is for this very reason that we are appointing a Safe Environment Coordinator in every parish, school and administrative office in the Diocese of Greensburg.”

In conclusion, he said he promised to “continue to report transparently on the situation and to be present at the change of pastor. On June 1, I will announce that a respected, experienced and popular priest will take over the pastoral duties for these two parishes.”