[ad_1]
A Benedictine monk has been suspended from ministry after the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore just lately grew to become conscious of a cost he made a number of years in the past to settle sexual harassment allegations.
Final week, Father Paschal Morlino was dismissed from his place as pastor of St. Benedict Church in southwest Baltimore, the place he served for practically 40 years and have become recognized for his longstanding efforts to assist residents of poor neighborhoods surrounding the church.
The archdiocese discovered concerning the settlement Thursday when reporters for The Baltimore Banner inquired about it, officers stated in a press release Sunday. They stated they instantly opened an inside investigation and determined to dismiss Morlino.
MAN, 70, SETTLES 62-YEAR-OLD SEX ABUSE CASE WITH MASSACHUSETTS DIOCESE
“He’s not permitted to rejoice Mass or have interaction in public ministry within the Archdiocese,” the assertion stated.
Morlino, 85, has returned to Saint Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania, the oldest Benedictine monastery within the nation, after each the Baltimore archdiocese and the Order of Saint Benedict made a joint choice to droop his priestly schools, officers stated. The investigation is ongoing.
Kim Metzgar, communications director for Saint Vincent Archabbey, stated she was unable to remark due to the continued investigation.
A Baltimore monk has been suspended from ministry over a sexual harassment settlement he paid out in 2018.
The archdiocese will appoint a brand new administrator to supervise Saint Benedict Church, which is owned and operated by the Benedictines, based on their assertion.
Church officers disclosed few particulars concerning the 2018 criticism in opposition to Morlino, saying solely that it centered on “alleged sexual harassment of an grownup man” who had died earlier than the criticism was filed. Officers stated they have been unable to corroborate the third-party allegations in consequence.
In an interview final week with The Banner, Morlino confirmed the $200,000 settlement cost, denied any wrongdoing and stated he had nothing to cover.
OREGON CHURCH LEADER JAILED FOR SEX ABUSE OF GIRLS IN HIS CONGREGATION, POLICE SAY
“I simply wished to maintain him quiet, to be rid of him, as a result of he was simply stirring up hassle,” he informed The Banner, referring to the complainant, who died in 2020.
An lawyer who represented the person didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Monday.
Morlino arrived at St. Benedict in 1984, a time of declining membership and waning curiosity within the church. Within the years that adopted, he led efforts to replace and enhance church buildings and strengthen the parish’s mission, based on their web site.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Earlier than coming to Baltimore, Morlino based Adelphoi Village, a nonprofit little one care company that works with at-risk youth in Pennsylvania.
