The list contains the names of 14 clergy who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the Diocese of Charlotte since it was established in 1972. Summarized are the allegations considered credible as a result of action by civil authorities, findings by the diocese’s Lay Review Board, or as the result of an independent comprehensive review of the diocese’s personnel and other files in 2019.

Separately, information is provided on credibly accused clergy who served in western North Carolina before the Diocese of Charlotte was established, when the Diocese of Raleigh oversaw the Catholic Church across the state. Also noted are clergy who served in western North Carolina without allegations documented in our files but who were publicly named by other dioceses and religious orders as credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults and other sexual misconduct. Please refer to those other lists for details on the selection criteria used.

This list will be updated as additional relevant information becomes available. Information sources included the Charlotte diocese’s personnel and other files, communications and publications from other dioceses or religious orders, findings of the diocese’s 2019 file review, criminal and court records and published reports. Not included is information from anonymous letters, claims with no victim identified, allegations of sexual misconduct involving adults, and claims unrelated to sexual abuse of minors.

In the fall of 2018, the diocese set in motion a multilayered process to publish a comprehensive list of clergy who were credibly accused of child sexual abuse in the diocese since it was established in 1972.

The diocese automatically placed on the list the names of clergy who admitted to allegations or who were charged by civil authorities with child sexual abuse offenses. In addition, the diocese placed on the list all clergy who had an allegation determined by the diocese’s Lay Review Board to be credible, that is to have at least the semblance of truth, since the board was formed in 2002.

To ensure that all historical allegations were identified in the diocese’s files, which date back 47 years, the diocese engaged an independent investigative firm to review all of its 1,600 priest, deacon and religious brother personnel records and other historical archives for any indication of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Their review of more than 150,000 pages identified a small number of additional clergy with credible documented allegations from years ago.

We know from hearing the stories of sexual abuse victims that making the names of abusers known provides validation and can promote healing – and a culture that allows victims to come forward.

No. Since 2002, when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was adopted, the diocese has had a zero-tolerance policy: No clergy may serve in ministry who are known to have a credible allegation of child sexual abuse against them. The diocese’s 2019 file review confirmed that no clergy in ministry here have a credible abuse allegation against them.

The Diocese of Charlotte’s Accountability webpage is among the most comprehensive to date, combining key attributes of many other dioceses’ lists of clergy who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse. To provide a thorough account, our webpage includes more than a dozen different types of information about accused clergy. Among other details, the webpage includes information about credible abuse allegations, key dates and timeframes of alleged abuse and clergy service, and action taken by the diocese.

Even so, we expect and welcome additional information that will help us maintain an accurate and comprehensive report, and ultimately will help us achieve our goals to be transparent and bring healing for abuse victims.

One unique aspect of our accountability webpage is that, in addition to listing all credible allegations of abuse in the Charlotte diocese that we are aware of since the diocese was formed in 1972, we also publish two additional lists, based on the best information we have at this time. One list details accused clergy who served in western North Carolina prior to 1972, when the Diocese of Raleigh oversaw the Catholic Church across all of North Carolina. The other list identifies clergy who served in the Charlotte diocese without documented allegations, but later were publicly named by other dioceses or religious orders as credibly accused elsewhere.

Reflecting national trends, most abuse allegations deemed credible in the Charlotte diocese occurred in the 1970s and declined before dropping sharply in the 2000s.

One instance of abuse is alleged to have occurred since 2002, when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was adopted. The accused priest was reported to civil authorities and removed from ministry, as required by the Charter and diocesan policy.

Most allegations reported since 2002 involved abuse dating back two decades or more.

The exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult. Sexual abuse includes acts of incest, rape or sexual offenses in any degree, sodomy and unnatural or perverted sexual practices, lewd or indecent acts or proposals, including exhibitionism, touching or fondling, permitting or encouraging a child to participate in acts of pornography or prostitution.

Yes. Sacraments administered by an ordained priest are valid regardless of whether he is later removed from ministry or stops functioning as a priest. The validity of the sacrament depends upon the saving action of Christ, not on the personal holiness of the priest conferring it. The only requirements for a priest to administer a sacrament are that he be validly ordained and given authority by the Church to do so.

When the diocese receives a report of sexual abuse of a minor, it immediately reports the allegation to civil authorities as required by law – and encourages those who come forward to report directly to police.

The accused clergy member is immediately placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, as outlined in the diocese’s sexual misconduct policy. If a priest is assigned to a parish, the congregation is typically informed about the reason for his absence.

The diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator assists in arranging for counseling and treatment for the reporting party, if desired, no matter when or where the abuse occurred.

The diocese’s Lay Review Board investigates to recommend whether an allegation should be considered credible by the diocese and to make recommendations to the bishop. If an allegation is considered credible, the clergy member remains out of ministry unless and until subsequent adjudication proves the allegation is not credible. Ultimately, the cleric may face other sanctions in the Church that could include dismissal from the priesthood.

A credible allegation is one that has the semblance of truth; one supported by information worthy of belief. It is not a finding of guilt.

In cases involving alleged sexual abuse of a minor, it is a determination that requires the immediate removal of a cleric from ministry and any other assigned duties unless and until it is determined the allegation is not credible through civil or ecclesiastical adjudication.

Factors that may help determine credibility include whether:

• the accused cleric has admitted the abuse
• an allegation is corroborated by external information
• there are allegations from more than one identifiable person
• the accused has been publicized or named on a list of credibly accused clergy by other dioceses or religious orders
• there is information obtained through criminal, civil or ecclesiastical proceedings

Since 2002, when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was adopted, each diocese must maintain an advisory board of mostly lay people not employed by the diocese to independently review allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.

The board hears testimony from victims, witnesses and accused clergy, and may employ a professional investigator to examine allegations and determine credibility. If it finds an allegation credible, the board recommends to the bishop any disciplinary action, pastoral care for the victim, and other responses. It periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the diocese’s policies and procedures related to the protection of minors, and offers advice and recommendations to the bishop.

In the Charlotte diocese, members of the Lay Review Board include an experienced pastor (as required by the Charter) and people with expertise in counseling/psychology, law enforcement, investigation, business, law, community affairs, and advocacy for the rights of children and victims. All board members share a commitment to ensuring the diocese is safeguarding children from sexual abuse by clergy or other Church personnel. Due to the highly sensitive and independent nature of their proceedings, their work is confidential.

Under the 2002 Charter, each diocese must operate a Safe Environment program, which includes mandatory training for all clergy, employees and volunteers of the diocese. More than 50,000 people have been trained in the 46 counties served by the Charlotte diocese. Details about the diocese’s Safe Environment program can be found here.

In addition, priests and other Church personnel must abide by a code of conduct, which includes certain rules meant specifically to prevent children from potentially unsafe situations. For example, no children may travel with clergy or a Church worker unaccompanied by other adults, and Church personnel generally can’t be alone with a child except in rare circumstances. The diocese’s Safe Environment policies can be found here.

No. The diocese has a zero-tolerance policy. No clergy member with a credible allegation of sexual abuse against him may serve in ministry – no matter when or where the alleged abuse occurred.

Before the Charter was adopted in 2002, allegations were handled based on evolving clinical, psychological and societal standards at the time. The Church, like most institutions, did not fully understand the pathology of abusers and worked with the psychiatric community in attempts to treat the illness. Priests were occasionally sent for treatment and counseling, then returned with a psychiatric endorsement declaring them fit for ministry.

Today, under the Charter, no clergy member or Church worker credibly accused of sexual abuse can return to ministry – and all allegations are reported to civil authorities.

The Charlotte diocese takes an active role in ensuring that only candidates who are fit to serve the people of God are placed in ministry.

In fact, the diocese started its own college seminary in 2016 that ensures the diocese knows its candidates well and is involved in their formation, and to reduce reliance on clergy from other dioceses and religious communities.

All seminary candidates undergo detailed background checks and psychological evaluation, and are regularly reviewed for fitness to ensure they are ready and willing to commit to a priestly vocation and its vow of celibacy. They also participate in Safe Environment training and are carefully instructed in the diocese’s policies to safeguard the young and vulnerable.

Clergy coming to the diocese from elsewhere also undergo background checks and Safe Environment training. They also must submit information from their personnel files and a letter of good standing from their supervising diocese or religious order before being assigned to serve in the Charlotte diocese.

The diocese’s Safe Environment office monitors and assesses ongoing compliance with the reporting and other protocols outlined in the 2002 Charter for the Protection for Children and Young People.

In addition, the diocese undergoes annual audits by an independent firm contracted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to measure compliance and determine the effectiveness of the protective measures required by the Charter. Every three years, the firm completes a rigorous on-site audit to ensure compliance. You can read the latest audit results here.

The diocese’s Lay Review Board also regularly reviews the diocese’s policies and procedures for handling allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct.

The diocese also provides an independent ethics hotline for reporting sexual abuse, operated by Red Flag Reporting. The hotline allows people to speak up, anonymously or not, when suspected sexual abuse or other unethical activity is noted – 24 hours a day, by phone or the web, in English or Spanish. Related software also helps systematize and track how allegations are being handled once a report is received and shared with the diocese for internal disciplinary purposes.