Bernard J. Kaczmarczyk

Ordained: 1957
Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh

From Report I of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

On February 8, 1994, the Diocese of Pittsburgh was informed that allegations had been lodged against Father Bernard J. Kaczmarczyk concerning sexual abuse of at least three minors. These allegations were investigated by the Diocese and deemed to be credible.

On February 8, 1994, the Coordinator of Clergy Support Services received a telephone call from a female who allegd that Kaczmarczyk had sexually abused her three nephews, ages 11, 14 and 15.  She explained that she and her entire family had been life-long friends with Kaczmarczyk and had total access to the rectory because of their relationship with him.  She stated that her nephews were sexually abused by Kaczmarczyk at the rectory in Donora and also at his home in Florida.

The caller reported that when her oldest nephew was approximately 12 years old, Kaczmarczyk would meet with him every day in Kaczmarczyk’s bedroom. Kaczmarczyk would also go into the bathroom when her nephew was showering to make sure he was “showering properly.” She also reported that her nephew would frequently sleep with Kaczmarczyk, who wore his sister’s dresses as pajamas.

One morning her oldest nephew awoke to find Kaczmarczyk performing oral sex on him. Kaczmarczyk was very controlling of the boy and would slap him if he said anything about it. Kaczmarczyk often bought things for the child and had the child’s name on some bank accounts.

At one point all three boys and their mother moved to Florida with Kaczmarczyk. When the mother moved back to Donora, Kaczmarczyk insisted that the two oldest boys stay in Florida with him. The caller reported that a detective went to the house and later called the boy’s mother to inform her that Kaczmarczyk was “using all three boys.”

The woman went on to state in June, 1992, Kaczmarczyk had her nephew make a “Consecration to the Mystical Rose” and had him wear a rosary ring on his left hand.  (There were notes in the file that suggested that this was some sort of marriage ceremony, similar to vows, between the boy and Kaczmarczyk).

The woman reported that she spoke with the mother of her nephews on February 11, 1994.  According to the mother, her children became involved with Kaczmarczyk when her oldest son was approximately seven-years-old. Kaczmarczyk then trained him as an altar boy when he was around 10 years of age and he began staying overnight at the rectory with Kaczmarczyk.  When her son was between the ages of 10 and 12, he recalled waking up in the morning with his underwear removed and found Kaczmarczyk kneeling next to his bed.

From October 1992 through February 1993, the mother stated that she and her boys lived in Florida to help Kaczmarczyk. Thereafter, Kaczmarczyk insisted that her two oldest boys stay in Florida with him (approximately two more weeks.)  Her oldest son later told her that there was an occasion when he woke up and Kaczmarczyk was performing oral sex on him.  He also told her that once he woke up and Kaczmarczyk was trying to “put his penis in his butt.” Kaczmarczyk also gave him wine to help him sleep. He told his mother that Kaczmarczyk did not want him looking at girls and that he and Kaczmarczyk had taken vows which he wanted the boy to renew every year.

Additional information regarding the widespread sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Dioceses of Pennsylvania and the systemic cover up by senior church officials is compiled in the Pennsylvania Diocese Victim’s Report published by the Pennsylvania Attorney General following a two-year grand jury investigation.  A complete copy of the Report is available on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website.