The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has been notified that the
Diocese of Richmond has recently determined allegations of sexual abuse of a
minor against four priests to be credible. Two of those priests served in the
current boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington: Father Leo Creamer and Father
R. Dixon Beattie.
Father Creamer was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of
Richmond in 1944 and died in 1991. When the Diocese of Arlington was formed in
1974, he was then incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Arlington. His
assignments in Northern Virginia included St. Leo in Fairfax (1961), St. Mary
in Alexandria (1963-64), St. Louis in Alexandria (1969-78), and St. Mary in
Fredericksburg (1978-87).
The credible allegation against him involved an incident prior to
his incardination in the Diocese of Arlington.
Father Beattie was ordained in 1934 and died in 1971, prior to
the establishment of the Diocese of Arlington. However, his assignments
included two parishes in the current boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington
prior to its formation: St. Charles Borromeo (1941-47), and St. Ann (1947-68),
where he was the founding pastor.
To read the public
statement from the Diocese of Richmond, go to richmonddiocese.org.
The Diocese of Arlington encourages anyone who knows of
any misconduct or abuse on the part of any cleric or employee of the diocese to
report it to the Virginia Attorney General hotline (VirginiaClergyHotline.com),
and also to contact the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 703/
841-2530. The diocesan child protection policy is online
at arlingtondiocese.org/clergyabuse.
Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge asks all in the Diocese of Arlington to pray that, through the mercy
and compassion of Our Lord, all victims of sexual abuse may find healing and consolation.
