VIRGINIA
Catholic Herald
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of 5/11/06)
Father Tran Dinh Nhi, 61, parochial vicar at St. Ambrose Church in Annandale since 2005, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of allegations that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with two minor girls between 1975 and 1980, when they were between the ages of 13 and 17. After a preliminary review of the allegations on Monday evening, the Arlington Diocesan Review Board advised Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde that the allegations had an initial appearance of credibility. Father Nhi has denied any wrongdoing.
One allegation was made by a woman who contacted the diocese after attending a diocesan-sponsored program on recognizing and reporting child abuse. She met with diocesan child protection staff and the diocese offered her assistance. In accordance with its child protection policy, the diocese reported her allegations to the civil authorities and placed Father Nhi on leave while her allegations are investigated.