Buried in the news about COVID and the global George Floyd protests, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, VA, quietly announced today that it is starting “formal investigations” of child sexual abuse against four former priests.

What is NOT interesting about the investigation is that there are four accused priests. What IS interesting is the relevant—but scant—information we do have about THESE four priests.

All four of the accused retired early, took leave, and/or had their faculties removed years ago.

What does this tell us?

That the diocese has possibly known about these men for decades and chose to keep quiet, cover up abuse, and dump the priests in unsuspecting communities.

What questions should we ask?

Why were these men removed?

Who knew what and when?

Why weren’t these men investigated and publicized years ago?

Why are they finally telling us now?