Archdiocese to Review Ministry Restriction Policies

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle
May 6, 2014

http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/Assets/News/4802_quiggMay6.pdf

(SEATTLE) The Archdiocese of Seattle released a statement Friday, May 2 regarding Harold

Quigg and announced that it would review its policies for monitoring priests removed from

ministry. An archdiocesan review board concluded in 2004 that Quigg, a former pastor and

parish priest at several parishes in western Washington, had engaged in sexual misconduct in

1980.

Quigg, who agreed to participate in the archdiocesan Relapse Prevention Program, has been

under the supervision of a monitor, but in recent years has not complied with the terms of his

ministry restrictions.

The archdiocese’s statement was sent to several parishes notifying them over the weekend of the

2004 Archdiocesan Case Review Board determination regarding Quigg. No further allegations

have been brought against Quigg either prior to the finding or since he was removed from

ministry.

The information was not made public at the time because of the determination that the sexual

contact did not involve a minor.

Quigg, who retired in 2000, was instructed by then-Archbishop Alex J. Brunett at the time of the

review board’s recommendation not to present himself publicly as a priest. The archdiocese

recently became aware that he had violated his restrictions related to celebration of the

sacraments.

“I regret that these violations did not come to my attention earlier,” Archbishop J. Peter Sartain

said. “We recognize that the steps taken were insufficient and we are reviewing our current

policies to minimize the possibility of such occurrences in the future.”

Anyone who has knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct by a member of the clergy, an

employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call the archdiocesan hotline at

1-800-446-7762.

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For more information, contact: Greg Magnoni 206.382.4862 or 425.829.5520