ROME, N.Y. – The Rev. Paul Angelicchio of St. John the Baptist Church in Rome returned to the ministry on Saturday, after being placed on administrative leave in November when he was named in a sex abuse lawsuit.
The Diocese of Syracuse Review Board completed an investigation, stating, “Based on the information available at this time and the refusal of the complainant to cooperate in an independent investigation, the Diocesan Review Board was unable to substantiate the allegation.”
Bishop Douglas Lucia accepted the board’s findings, allowing Angelicchio to return to his position as pastor of St. John’s and Transfiguration churches.
The civil lawsuit sought monetary damages for alleged sexual abuse that occurred between 1980-81.
Angelicchio was also accused in a separate sex abuse lawsuit through the Child Victims Act, but the accuser voluntarily dismissed his claims.
