CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) โ A Catholic priest in North Carolina will remain on administrative leave after allegations of sexual abuse against him were revealed last year, the Charlotte dioceseโs bishop said.
Bishop Peter Jugis made the announcement to St. Matthew parishioners in a letter Wednesday, writing that he had accepted the recommendation of the dioceseโs Lay Review Board to keep the Rev. Patrick Hoare out of ministry, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Hoare was originally put on administrative leave in December after the diocese received โan allegation against him of child sexual abuse that was said to have occurred in Pennsylvania more than 25 years ago, before Father Hoare entered ministryโ the Charlotte Observer quoted Jugis as writing.
The Bishopโs letter said officers from the Abington Township Police Department in Pennsylvania investigated the allegations and told the diocese in February they โfound the claimants to be credibleโ but couldnโt bring charges against Hoare due to the statute of limitations.
Thatโs when Jugis said he asked the dioceseโs board to conduct its own investigation into the allegations. The board found the allegations โcredible,โ but didnโt identify a โspecific incident of sexual abuse of a minor,โ the paper quotes Jugis as saying.
Jugis said the board also considered three complaints that allege Hoare showed โseveral instances of inappropriate physical contact with minorsโ at two Charlotte parishes, including at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The complaints involved a hug, rubbing the shoulders or abdomen of a minor, and being โvery touchy,โ the paper quotes Jugis as saying.
Hoare has previously denied the allegations, the Observer reported. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
