Press Release: Response regarding a post on Facebook

June 15, 2018 – On June 13, 2018 a Facebook post was discovered on a public Facebook group which self identifies as “a space to provide data and exchange impressions about the unwritten history of the LC.” No complaint was made to the Legion of Christ.

The accusations discovered in the post prompted the Legion to immediately begin an investigation.

Civil authorities and Praesidium, Inc. have both been notified about the information shared in the Facebook post. The policies and procedures implemented by the Legionaries of Christ are accredited by Praesidium, Inc., a national organization that works with religious and other institutions to establish and maintain rigorous standards for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

The accuser was contacted and at this point has declined to participate in the investigation to formalize the complaint he posted on Facebook.

The Legion of Christ will continue to move the investigation forward with Praesidium, Inc.

The Legionaries of Christ is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all children who interact with its members and are involved in its ministries.

Update, June 16, 2018 – The evening of June 15, 2018 the accuser was contacted a second time, by a different representative of the Legion of Christ, and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

He was informed that as a next step he would be contacted directly by Praesidium, Inc., a national organization that works with religious and other institutions to establish and maintain rigorous standards for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Update, February 14, 2019 – On July 14, 2018, the territorial director, Fr. John Connor, LC, officially closed the case. Praesidium reached out to the accuser who initially agreed to speak at a future date on July 1, 2018.

On July 1, 2018 Praesidium reached out to the accuser, as agreed upon, and was unable to reach the accuser.

Repeated attempts were made to contact the accuser from July 1, 2018 through July 9, 2018. The accuser was unable to be reached and never responded.

Since there have been no other accusations against the priest mentioned in the social media post, and given the extensive outreach efforts made to the accuser, the case will be considered closed until the accuser chooses to come forward and address the matter directly with the Legion of Christ.