Posted July 16, 2012

Father Geraldo J. Piñero, formerly pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in the Olney section of Philadelphia, has been found unsuitable for ministry by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput after a substantiated violation of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries.

The Standards are conduct guidelines for clergy and church workers and volunteers implemented by the Philadlephia Archdiocese in 2003.

Father Piñero had stepped down as pastor of Incarnation in November 2010 when federal authorities searched the parish rectory. No charges were subsequently filed against him.

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His ministry has been restricted since that time and he has not been permitted to exercise his public ministry, wear clerical garb or present himself publicly as a priest.

Last weekend Incarnation parishioners were informed of their former pastor’s status. It is not known whether Father Pinero would seek laicization or what further steps the Archdiocese might take regarding his case.

Following his ordination in 1991, Father Pinero’s assignments became interspersed with periods of personal leave.

He served at Incarnation of Our Lord after his priestly ordination until 1997. He took personal leave from 1997 to 2000, with residence at St. Bridget Parish in Philadelphia (1997-1999), St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Philadelphia (1999) and at a private residence (1999-2000).

He also served at St. Joseph Parish, Aston (2000-2003) and Incarnation of Our Lord (2003-2011).
A statement released by the Archdiocese July 16 announcing Father Pinero’s status directed people who wished to report a violation of the Standards to the archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-800-932-0313.

That office was founded in 2011 to investigate allegations of sexual abuse or violations of the Standards in the church in 2011, in the wake of the second Philadelphia grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse.

People wishing to report an allegation of sexual abuse were advised to contact local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations, the archdiocesan statement said.

It also said services to victims of sexual abuse are available through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@adphila.org.