[See PDF of statement.]
November 26, 2025
In light of complaints made against him in July of this year, Father Robert J. Sullivan, of his own accord, submitted a petition to Pope Leo, requesting that he be dispensed from all the obligations arising from Holy Orders. As is the standard process for such petitions, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith studied the request and presented the petition to the Holy Father, who subsequently granted the dispensation. With communication of Pope Leo’s decision on November 24, 2025, Robert J. Sullivan is no longer a cleric in the Catholic Church and, thus, will no longer exercise ordained ministry.
The canonical investigation of the allegations, referred to the Dicastery in late summer, now concludes with this dispensation. A diocesan financial review, initiated at my request due to the significant payments alleged to have been made by then-Father Sullivan, was recently…
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