Fmr. Deacon Admits to Raping Two Children

Local 15
May 18, 2013

http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-Fmr-Deacon-Admits-to-Raping-Two-Children/9Nx44NsRYUWfpYRjx3NrgA.cspx

The Archdiocese of Mobile issued the following release to Local 15 News.

When we were informed by federal authorities of the accusation against Deacon Robert Nouwen, of possession of child pornography, Archbishop Rodi and Father Jim Cink, Director of the Office of Child Protection, met with Deacon Nouwen. He admitted only to limited and temporary possession of child pornography and was immediately put on administrative leave, meaning he could not exercise any ministry. This was shared with the parish and made public. The Archdiocese of Mobile had no prior knowledge of his misconduct with minors and his background check did not reveal his abuse of minors.

In the ongoing federal investigation he admitted to federal authorities that he had raped two children. In the interest of cooperating fully with the federal investigation, we felt it inappropriate to make any public statements until sentencing was complete. Now that federal authorities have completed their process, the Archdiocese will refer his case to the Vatican and Deacon Nouwen continues to be prohibited from exercising any ministry. Specifically, we will ask for permission to proceed with the laicization of Deacon Nouwen.

The Archdiocese of Mobile has made the commitment not to tolerate sexual abuse of minors and to cooperate with civil authorities. We have acted in keeping these promises by immediately placing Deacon Nouwen on administrative leave and cooperating fully with federal authorities.When we were informed by federal authorities of the accusation against Deacon Robert Nouwen, of possession of child pornography, Archbishop Rodi and Father Jim Cink, Director of the Office of Child Protection, met with Deacon Nouwen. He admitted only to limited and temporary possession of child pornography and was immediately put on administrative leave, meaning he could not exercise any ministry. This was shared with the parish and made public. The Archdiocese of Mobile had no prior knowledge of his misconduct with minors and his background check did not reveal his abuse of minors.

In the ongoing federal investigation he admitted to federal authorities that he had raped two children. In the interest of cooperating fully with the federal investigation, we felt it inappropriate to make any public statements until sentencing was complete. Now that federal authorities have completed their process, the Archdiocese will refer his case to the Vatican and Deacon Nouwen continues to be prohibited from exercising any ministry. Specifically, we will ask for permission to proceed with the laicization of Deacon Nouwen.

The Archdiocese of Mobile has made the commitment not to tolerate sexual abuse of minors and to cooperate with civil authorities. We have acted in keeping these promises by immediately placing Deacon Nouwen on administrative leave and cooperating fully with federal authorities.

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) A former deacon at St. Vincent de Paul Church was sentenced to prison time on child pornography charges.

Monday, Robert Nouwen was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. The judge recommended the sentence be served at a medical facility due to Nouwen's health condition.

Nouwen was also ordered to undergo sex offender treatment and will be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life after he is released from prison.

Nouwen pleaded guilty to child porn charges. He admitted to buying and watching movies featuring underage boys.