YOUNGSTOWN Mistake leads to confusion

Callers were concerned that the mix-up might have implicated another priest, who is not involved.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Phones were ringing off the hook Friday at The Vindicator offices with calls from people upset over the fact that the wrong name was printed in a story about a Catholic priest being sued by a parishioner.
A lawsuit was filed Thursday in Stark County Common Pleas Court against the Rev. Dennis Bliss of North Canton, a priest at St. Christine Church on Youngstown's West Side. The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is also named as a defendant.
A story in Friday's city edition mistakenly listed the name as Father Dennis Witt.
Callers were concerned that the error, made by a Vindicator staff writer, could have mistakenly implicated the Rev. William Witt, also a local Catholic priest, who is not involved in the suit.
Background: The suit, filed by Mary Ann and Anthony Lordi of Youngstown, accuses Father Bliss of engaging in "impermissible touching" of Mrs. Lordi during a counseling session, though it does not say when the misconduct is alleged to have taken place. The Lordis are seeking more than $3 million in damages.
Father Bliss denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday morning by Bishop Thomas Tobin.
The Vindicator apologizes for the error and for any confusion it may have caused.