The pastor of a Maryland parish was placed on administrative leave late last month pending an investigation into allegations of “sexual abuse of minors that is reported to have occurred in another diocese decades ago, prior to his ordination to the priesthood,” according to a letter from the Archdiocese of Washington to parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Garrett Park, Md.
The archdiocese said the allegation against Father Robert P. Buchmeier was initially reported to the Arlington diocese, which notified it as well as law enforcement officials.
In separate statements, both the archdiocese and the Arlington diocese pledged to cooperate with authorities on any investigation.
“The Diocese of Arlington has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse,” the diocese said in a statement. “No one with a credible accusation of abuse of minors is serving in the diocese.”
The Washington archdiocese encourages anyone with information that may be helpful to authorities to contact the Alexandria Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, at 703/746-4444.
