KNOXVILLE (TN)
"The World," PRI.org [Boston MA]
March 4, 2025
A board said it found evidence that the complaints were credible, noting evidence of “frequent boundary violations with both minors and adults.”
The Diocese of Knoxville said it is searching for a new assignment for a St. John Neumann Catholic Church and School priest who was placed on administrative leave in December.
Father Joseph Reed was placed on leave after a complaint of “boundary violations” was brought to the attention of the Diocese of Knoxville. The diocese had reported the complaint to state authorities and told Reed of the situation.
At the end of January, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office closed its investigation into Reed and said the allegations were unsubstantiated. Soon after, the Department of Children’s Services and the Diocese of Knoxville both confirmed they had opened investigations into the case.
On March 4, the Diocese of Knoxville shared a letter updating the community on the conclusion of the case into Reed.
According to the letter, a preliminary investigation began in mid-December when two people brought concerns directly to Mark Beckman, a bishop at the church. The two complainants claimed that behaviors toward them had made them uncomfortable.
“Given their ages and the fact that the behaviors described may have occurred when they were minors, this raised concerns about possible violations of not only our Diocesan Safe Environment Policy and Code of Pastoral Conduct, but also potentially violated laws protecting minors,” Beckman said in the letter.
The letter also said other behaviors were brought to the bishop by adults who directly witnessed them over time. According to the letter, these behaviors were reported to the Diocese last spring.
Beckman said the investigation by civil authorities found no evidence of a crime committed by Reed. However, the Diocese contracted an independent investigator to conduct its own investigation into the allegations in order to determine if policies had been violated.
The findings of the investigation were then brought to the Diocesan Review Board, which was tasked with deciding if any policy had been violated. This board, according to Beckman, was comprised of trained professionals, law enforcement, the legal field and medical and health care professionals.
The board said it found evidence that the complaints concerning Father Reed were credible, noting evidence of “frequent boundary violations with both minors and adults.” The letter also said the violations were “frequent and consistent, grave and unbecoming of the Holy Priesthood.”
“After reviewing the results of the investigation and the recommendation of the board, I concur that the evidence points to serious violations of our Code of Pastoral Conduct,” Beckman said in the letter.
Beckman also said he consulted the Priest Personnel Board for help finding a future assignment for Reed with a seasoned pastor and “to recommend both a temporary administrator for St. John Neumann as well as a permanent pastor going forward.”
The remainder of Beckman’s statement can be found below.
“I know this has been an incredibly painful and challenging time for your community and for Fr. Joe, and I have received many messages of support from you noting his wonderful priestly qualities. He is deeply loved by your community. I am Aware that his departure from your community will be deeply grieved by many. Please know that I will work diligently with our Priest Personnel Board in providing the best priestly care for your community.
All of you have remained in my constant prayer during these very trying weeks. Please know those prayers will continue.”