Accused Priest Jumps from Bridge to His Death

The Rev. William A. Rosensteel, a veteran priest who once served in Gallitzin and Johnstown, killed himself Sunday on the eve of an announcement that sex abuse allegations against him would be referred to law enforcement.

The 64-year-old priest jumped from the McNally Bridge on Route 219 in Richland Township late Sunday afternoon. He died of blunt force trauma, said Cambria County Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski.

Rosensteel, an Ebensburg native who at various times during his 38-year career had served at the former St. Patrick parish in Gallitzin and St. Patrick’s in Johnstown, had been on administrative leave since March. He was facing sex abuse allegations dating to 1972.

Events leading to the priest’s suicide had a rapid momentum, beginning late last week. On Friday, Joseph Adamec, bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, announced that – after conducting an initial diocese review – the 1971 claims against Rosensteel would be turned over to civil authorities.