Delaware reopens investigation of priests
On the heels of Pennsylvania's criminal investigation into Catholic priests, Delaware Department of Justice has launched its own investigation, subpoenaing the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington for decades of records.
“The purpose of the review is to determine whether there are any prosecutable criminal cases that may have not come to light in previous reviews of information provided by the diocese,” the DOJ stated in a Nov. 1 press release.
DOJ Spokesman Carl Kanefsky said the investigation is underway, and there is no timeline for when it will be completed.
DOJ has already reviewed records from 2002 to 2004, but the latest subpoena requests records related to sexual abuse of minors dating back to 1955.
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington states it is working with investigators, and any potential victims should contact law enforcement.
“We are confident that with our safe environment and reporting policies and our continued vigilance, we will continue to ensure that our parishes and schools are safe and sacred spaces,” states a press release from the diocese. “The files requested by the attorney general include the files of abusive priests that were made public six years ago in accordance with the nonmonetary provisions of the diocesan bankruptcy settlement.”
As part of a settlement with victims released in 2012, th Wilmington diocese agreed to post a list of diocesan clergy or lay employees for “whom there are admitted, corroborated or otherwise substantiated allegations of sexual abuse, molestation and rape of minors.” The list includes four priests connected with St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach.
The priests are all deceased; all had served at various times from 1957 to 1975. They are: Leonard J. Mackiewicz, 1957 and 1972; Francis P. Cornely, 1958-1962 and 1974-75; William E. Irwin, 1964; and Richard F. Gardiner, May-November 1968.
At the time of the 2012 list, there were no reports or known accused perpetrator priests assigned to St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes.
In 2002, diocesan officials met with the Delaware attorney general and disclosed all reports of abuse that the diocese had received, cooperating fully with the DOJ investigation, the statement read.
“The Diocese of Wilmington has not had a credible reported instance of the sexual abuse of a child by anyone in diocesan or parish ministry in over 25 years,” according to the diocese statement.
Delaware DOJ is asking potential victims of abuse by diocesan personnel to provide information to prosecutors and investigators by contacting 302-577-5293 or ReportAbuse@state.de.us.
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was established in 1868 and comprises 56 parishes, 18 missions and 36 schools serving the State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
