Leadership by example?

Priest commits suicide after bishop reveals sex-abuse allegationsThe Associated

PressJOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A priest committed suicide Sunday, two days after his bishop said claims of sex abuse by the priest dating back more than 30 years would be turned over to law enforcement.

The Rev. William A. Rosensteel, 64, jumped from a bridge in Richland Township on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.Bishop Joseph Adamec of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced Friday that following an initial diocese review, allegations of sex abuse allegations dating to 1971 against Rosensteel would be referred to police.

Adamec's statement was published Monday in The Catholic Register, a newspaper that serves as the official publication of the eight-county diocese.Rosensteel served in several parishes.He was pastor of St. Patrick's in Newry and parochial vicar at St. Mary's in Altoona.

He also taught at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona. Most recently, he had served at Holy Rosary in Altoona, but had resigned after being placed on administrative leave in March."It is difficult to comprehend a priest taking the action that he did," Adamec said. "While Father Rosensteel was facing allegations from the past, those allegations were being processed through appropriate channels."

June 26, 2007 11:29 AM