VIRGINIA
WTOP
Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 - 4:40 PM
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press Writer
A northern Virginia priest who has been ordained in the Roman Catholic Church for more than 40 years was indicted Tuesday and charged with possession of child pornography.
The Rev. Robert Brooks, 72, pastor of St. John the Apostle in Leesburg, was relieved of his duties in October, as soon as the Arlington Diocese became aware of the police investigation, said Bishop Paul Loverde in a letter to parishioners.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said there are no allegations of inappropriate contact with children.
Loverde also said the diocese is not aware of any sexual misconduct or abuse by Brooks going back to his ordination in 1961.
"This is the first allegation of anything of this nature with this priest," said diocese spokesman Soren Johnson. "It is obviously very disconcerting to us because of his many years of dedicated service in priestly ministry. We are cooperating fully with civil authorities."
Posted by kshaw at February 15, 2005 09:10 PM