Family Sues Pittsburgh Diocese, Alleges Son’s Suicide Tied to Priest Abuse

July 30, 2010

The estate of a man allegedly abused by a priest has announced a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, alleging the man committed suicide earlier this year after the diocese stopped paying for his mental health treatments following two other suicide attempts.

According to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press, 39-year-old Michael Unglo committed suicide in May at a Massachusetts facility. Unglo’s family held a news conference in Pittsburgh Thursday to discuss the lawsuit against the diocese and Bishop David Zubik.

The diocese did not immediately respond to calls and an e-mail for comment.

Unglo was allegedly molested in the early 1980s while an altar boy by a priest who was convicted of molesting another boy and later resigned.