A Letter from the Bishop

The following letter from Bishop Paul S. Loverde was read at all Masses the weekend of Sept. 14-15..

Sept. 14, 2002

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I am deeply distressed by the report on Channel 7 on Monday evening and the article which appeared in The Washington Post on Sept. 13. Most of the clergy, religious and laity of this diocese are faith-filled, enthusiastic about living out their call to holiness and earnest in their efforts to overcome the sinfulness in their lives through ongoing repentance and conversion. Every situation in which an allegation of misconduct has been brought forward against a priest has been looked into and dealt with in appropriate and proper ways. This was so in terms of the two priests referred to in the Channel 7 report and in the Post article. I took steps immediately in each instance.

I share with you now the substance of my response to The Washington Post inquiry regarding Father William J. Erbacher and Father Daniel E. Hamilton. The Washington Post story included only a small portion of my response.

Upon receiving information about Father Erbacher which raised concerns of financial impropriety and other personal issues, I immediately placed Father Erbacher on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. I also immediately ordered the commencement of an independent forensic audit by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to address the financial matters in the received information, and sent Father Erbacher for evaluation at an institution rooted in a Catholic understanding of the human person and of Catholic morality to address the other personal issues raised. Father Erbacher subsequently resigned his position as pastor. As a result of the audit initiated by me, the Diocese of Arlington has taken steps to present its information to the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office. The Internal Revenue Service has also begun an audit, in which it has focused on Father Erbacher’s personal finances. The Diocese of Arlington has presented the results of its forensic audit to them and is cooperating fully with investigators.

Immediately after becoming aware of concerns regarding Father Hamilton, various steps were taken to look further into this matter. One of these steps was that the diocese required him to be evaluated and treated by an institution rooted in a Catholic understanding of the human person and of Catholic morality. Father Hamilton fully cooperated with this requirement and is following the recommendations given to him. There has been no allegation of any other improper activity by Father Hamilton. Despite these facts, certain persons recently took it upon themselves to publicize Father Hamilton's past failing. Because his ministry could be negatively impacted, Father Hamilton submitted his resignation as pastor of St. Mary's in Fredericksburg. Father Hamilton has asked that the people of the diocese be informed that he has already made use of the spiritual remedies which the Church offers, including the Sacrament of Penance.

This brief communication is not the place to detail my own summary of actions taken in these types of situations. I have published a full description of the procedures I follow when looking into allegations of misconduct by priests within the diocese in the Arlington Catholic Herald published Sept. 12, 2002, and have duplicated that article at the website <catholicherald.com>. I do encourage you to avail yourself of this more detailed explanation of my proactive style of shepherding.

Before God and before you, I can affirm that I immediately begin to take steps whenever allegations of behavior unbecoming to a priest are brought to my attention. What I do is most often treated confidentially except where criminal activity would be involved. Since I do not make public what clearly remains confidential, there are those in our midst who conclude that I do nothing.

Furthermore, no one is punished, priest or lay person, for bringing their concerns to me. I am open and receptive to anyone, priest or lay person, who brings to my attention any complaint they may have about the diocese or any of its clergy.

I am humbled to be your bishop and renew my promise to respond to each situation as a faithful shepherd, compassionate yet assertive, patient yet firm, kind yet truthful. Please pray for me as I do each day for each of you.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde

Bishop of Arlington

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