Ernest Paone

Ordained: 1957

Ernest Paone spent the first ten years of priesthood in Pittsburgh.  Concerns were raised about inappropriate behavior while he was still in seminary.  He was transferred five times in the first nine years of ministry.  In 1962, a Pittsburgh pastor told the Bishop that he prevented Paone’s arrest for “molesting young boys…and illegal use of guns with even younger parishioners.” Paone took a leave of absence in 1966 and moved to Los Angeles.  In 1968, Paone requested — and was granted — faculties within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  There is no indication that the Diocese provided any interested parties information that Paone had sexually abused children.  He remained a Pittsburgh priest “in good standing” and was allowed to minster in California, even working as a public school teacher. In 1994, a new report was published detailing Paone’s abuse of a Pittsburgh boy in the 1960s.  A similar allegation surfaced in 2002 of abuse that had occurred in 1962-1963.

Paone’s faculties were removed in 2002.  He resigned from ministry in 2003 and died in 2012.  After his death, he was the subject of at least one civil lawsuit.

Father Paone's Assignments

Articles about Father Paone

• Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report Profile - Ernest Paone (14/08/2018)
• NBC San Diego - Priest Named in Grand Jury Report Volunteered at 2 San Diego Parishes (15/08/2018)