PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Diocese of Palm Beach County has placed a reverend on administrative leave due to unspecified "serious charges," according to a statement released by the diocese.
The reverend, of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Boynton Beach, is now forbidden to practice any ministry or be in contact with any parishioners, employees, volunteers of any organizations affiliated with the diocese.
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The diocese has not publicly disclosed the nature of the allegations, and neither the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office nor the Boynton Beach Police Department say they are investigating the matter.
The diocese launched a formal investigation into the allegations, and they have reported the matter to "civil authorities."
The diocese's victim assistance coordinator, Lisa Linnell, reported the allegations to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) on June 18. The diocese also retained Renaissance Associates, Ltd., an independent private investigative firm, to conduct a formal investigation.
Staff at St. Thomas More said they do not know the details surrounding the leave. Churchgoers, speaking off camera, said they also have not been told why the reverend was removed from ministry.
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said the diocese's use of the phrase "civil authorities" raises questions about whether law enforcement was ever directly notified.
"Civil authorities could mean administrative agency, like DCF. It could mean their own internal process for dealing with something, but what it seems to leave out is law enforcement, because law enforcement is not a civil authority, that's a criminal authority," Aronberg said. "So, when you say civil authorities, you're meaning potentially everyone but law enforcement."
Aronberg said many organizations attempt to handle allegations internally rather than going directly to police, particularly institutions that have faced scrutiny in the past.
But he said the timeline and reporting path are especially significant if children are involved.
"If it's not reported to law enforcement and does involve a crime, especially one that relates to children, then there's no excuse for delay," Aronberg said.
Aronberg noted that while reporting to DCF can be appropriate in certain circumstances, it may not be sufficient on its own if the allegations are criminal in nature.
"DCF is an appropriate agency, depending on the situation, we don't know what the allegation is here, but if there are certain things involving children, DCF is a proper agency," Aronberg said. "If it's criminal, then DCF alone is not the only people you should be calling."
He added that DCF does coordinate with law enforcement, but cautioned against routing allegations solely through civil channels if a crime may have occurred.
Aronberg also noted that, regardless of whether law enforcement was initially notified by the diocese, authorities are likely now aware of the situation.
"Law enforcement has not been notified, but law enforcement is notified now because they're going to read about it just like everyone else, and I'm sure it's going to pique their interest," Aronberg said.
He stressed that any attempt to address potentially criminal conduct through an internal process alone raises serious concerns.
"Whenever an organization attempts to conduct a private or internal investigation into allegations of criminal activity like sex abuse, it raises immediate concerns about the concealment of evidence and potential cover-up to protect the institution's reputation," Aronberg said. "The whole thing does raise some questions."
Aronberg cautioned against drawing conclusions, since so little has been publicly disclosed.
"I'm not trying to convict someone before they've even been accused. We don't know what's happening here," Aronberg said.
In its statement, the diocese said it "remains fully available to cooperate with all competent civil authorities and welcomes the participation of any appropriate law enforcement agency should such authorities deem it necessary." The diocese added that it is unable to provide additional details regarding the allegations at this time due to the legal nature of the matter under both civil and canon law.
The diocese said it has taken "all appropriate measures to safeguard the well-being of those entrusted to our care" and strongly encourages anyone who may have been a victim of abuse, misconduct, or criminal behavior by a representative of the church to come forward.
Reports can be made through the diocese's reporting line at 561-775-9558 or through the Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
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