Bishop Michael F. Burbidge placed Father Ronald S. Escalante,
pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, Purcellville, on administrative leave
recently pending the outcome of an investigation of alleged boundary violations
involving a minor and adults which transgress the Code of Conduct for Clergy in
the Diocese of Arlington. Since then, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office investigated
and said it will not press criminal charges against Father Escalante. However, the
diocese will conduct an investigation of matters that pertain to its Code of
Conduct for Clergy and report its findings.
Father Escalante denies the accusations and stated that he is
cooperating fully with the investigation.
While Father Escalante remains the pastor of St. Francis de Sales
Church, Bishop Burbidge appointed Msgr. John C. Cregan, retired pastor of
Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria, as parochial administrator as the
diocese continues the investigation.
Find out more
To see the diocesan Code of Conduct for Clergy, go to arlingtondiocese.org/Child-Protection/bgc-code-of-conduct-clergy.pdf.
The Diocese of
Arlington encourages anyone who knows of misconduct or abuse on the part of any
cleric or employee of the diocese to notify civil authorities, the
Virginia Attorney General hotline at VirginiaClergyHotline.com or
1-833-454-9064 , and reach out to Frank Moncher, diocesan victim assistance
coordinator, at 703/841-2530.
