Louis Lorei

Ordained: 1947
Diocese: Diocese of Erie

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

In December 2009, Father Mark Hoffman called the Bishop’s office to report an allegation involving child sexual abuse by Monsignor Louis Lorei. The parents of a boy had approached him to report that their son stated he “was touched by Monsignor Lorei” in the early 1980’s. Bishop Trautman later met with the victim.  The victim stated that about 1980 or 1981, he was a student, roughly age 11 to 13, at Our Lady of Peace school. He was also an altar server during early mass with Lorei.  On one occasion, Lorei invited him into the rectory and into his bedroom. Lorei had the victim sit on the bed while Lorei sat next to him and hugged and kissed him on the lips. This would occur several days in a row, stop, and then begin again. The victim eventually refused to serve mass with Lorei. Lorei was soon removed by then-Bishop Murphy. In his own handwritten words, Trautman expressed the personal belief that Lorei’s sudden departure may likely have been indicative of some kind of significant event. Trautman offered the victim counseling services.  Financial assistance was also discussed.

In a memorandum dated March 30, 2007, Hoffman also documented an additional victim of Lorei. Hoffman found out through the father of the second victim that his son was allegedly abused by Lorei. The victim reportedly described the incident during a United Methodist retreat in 2000.

A small note in the file states “Review Board found no merit in processing since supposed victim did not come forth even after requests.” It is unclear as to whom that note refers.

Despite a grand jury subpoena, no file for Monsignor Louis Lorei was made available by the Erie Diocese. A public records database search listed one additional, potential address associated with Lorei in Erie, which appears to be the address of Gannon University.

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.