A priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed her during an encounter in 2023. In an effort to reassure and thank the usually quiet, timid and shy girl, the accused priest asked the girl to hug him. He said he went to give her a peck on the forehead because her head was tilted down. As he kissed her, the girl looked up and his kiss landed on her cheek near her mouth instead.
"There's no written handbook we have that really clarifies all the diocesan policies," said the priest, who said he received approval from members of his finance council to invest parish funds in businesses affiliated with his longtime friend. "I know many pastors have made investments with investment groups and stock brokers, without the approval of the diocese," said the priest, who added that he was unaware of any policy that required him to notify diocesan officials of parish financial expenditures apart from any amount over $30,000 for repairs and renovations.
A priest pastor who was temporarily removed from ministry amid allegations of sexual abuse has been reinstated after an investigation found no evidence to support the claims. The Archdiocese’s Office for the Protection of Children and Youth "recommended that the file be closed and he be returned to ministry. After prayerful consideration, I have accepted the Board's recommendations and have restored Father's faculties to minister," the Archbishop said. "I publicly affirm that Father is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese. He deserves our respect and gratitude and I hope you will join me in thanking him for his long-standing dedication."
The Archdiocese Independent Review Board found there was not a reasonable cause to believe the accused priest sexually abused a minor and recommended he be reinstated to the ministry. The priest was removed from ministry after the allegation was made in October 2023. “The welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount consideration,” the Archbishop wrote in letters announcing the priest's reinstatement to eight parishes where he worked throughout his career. “At the same time, I am committed to restoring the good name of those so accused if the case is unsubstantiated. To that end, I publicly affirm that Father is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese."
Two federal judges overseeing lawsuits brought by Jane Does rejected their efforts to continue anonymously, saying in both cases the women did not establish that their concerns about harm outweighed the accused right to know his accuser and defend himself or the public’s interest in open trials. If the women want their lawsuits to proceed, the judges ruled, they will have to file them under their real names. Lawyers say anonymity is discussed with clients, who may not realize at the outset that they might have to ultimately reveal their names in court and open themselves up to public scrutiny, which has led to some cases being dropped.
A controversial bill in the Legislative Assembly has put the Catholic Church and lawmakers at odds over the sanctity of confession versus child protection laws. The proposed “Law Against Silence in Sexual Crimes Against Children and Persons with Disabilities” would require Catholic priests to break the seal of confession to report sexual crimes, prompting strong opposition from Church leaders who say they will defy the law if passed.