BishopAccountability.org
 
  Laurel Priest Removed from Duties Among Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Three Men Say They Were Assaulted at Resurrection of Our Lord

By Caitlin Moran
Gazette
January 14, 2010

http://www.gazette.net/stories/01142010/laurnew110933_32554.php

LAUREL (MD) -- A Laurel priest has been removed from the ministry while the Archdiocese of Baltimore investigates allegations he sexually abused three boys during the 1980s.

The archdiocese issued a news release Monday stating that the Rev. John T. Wielebski, 62, pastor at Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Laurel, had been accused by three individuals of sexual abuse during the 1980s while he was serving at St. Dominic Church in Baltimore City and the Monsignor Clare J. O'Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks, Md.

The news release stated that Wielebski denied all wrongdoing. His attorney information was not immediately available, and a call to the church's rectory was not returned by press time.

Wielebski had been a priest at Resurrection of Our Lord since 1999. A man who answered the phone at the church on Monday said the parish declined to comment on the investigation.

According to the archdiocese, Wielebski was removed from his pastoral duties in mid-December when officials were approached about the alleged abuse. While investigating the initial allegation, the archdiocese said it learned of additional alleged abuse involving Wielebski and two young men.

Sean Caine, communications director for the archdiocese, said church officials could not provide any additional details about the alleged victims because the investigation is ongoing.

Caine also said he could not comment on whether criminal charges were being pursued against Wielebski. Anthony J. Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Baltimore City Police Department, said there is no criminal investigation against Wielebski at this time.

Caine said the archdiocese is working with Resurrection of Our Lord to provide additional priests to celebrate Mass and perform Sacraments. About 800 families belong to the parish, he said.

The archdiocese asked those who suspect sexual abuse between a church official and a child to call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection Hotline at 1-866-417-7469. Those with additional information about Wielebski should call the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5599.

E-mail Caitlin Moran: cmoran@gazette.net

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.