NORFOLK (VA)
WVEC
December 10, 2018
By Amanda Johncola
A well-known Norfolk priest was placed on leave after he was accused of violating a code of conduct.
Father Joseph Metzger, the pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Norfolk, was placed on leave after nonsexual misconduct accusations were made against him.
On Sunday, a letter from Most. Rev. Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond, was read to the parish community at Blessed Sacrament in Norfolk.
The letter stated that Father Metzger agreed to take a leave of absence as pastor from the parish due to complaints received by the Safe Environment Office concerning his interactions with young people.
Bishop Knestout made it clear that no allegations of child sexual abuse have been made, but the interactions complained of were not in keeping with the Code of Conduct with Minors in the Diocesan Safe Environment Regulations.
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