Richmond Diocese Reviewing Sex Abuse Allegation against Four Priests

CBS19 News
June 8, 2020

https://www.cbs19news.com/story/42224248/richmond-diocese-reviewing-sex-abuse-allegation-against-four-priests

The Richmond Catholic Diocese says it is reviewing allegations against four retired or inactive priests.

According to a release, the allegations involve child sexual abuse, but none of the accused priests are currently serving in active ministry and they have not recently served in ministry for the diocese.

"While the alleged incidents are from the past, we recognize the pain is still a deep and present reality for victim survivors of abuse and their loved ones," said Bishop Barry Knestout. "We continue to pray for their healing for their loved ones who support them."

All of the named clergy have also been prohibited from any public ministry in the diocese pending the review of the allegations.

The Diocesan Review Board will look into each case and then make recommendations to Knestout regarding the appropriate response.

The release says allegations have been made against Father William Dinga, Jr., Father Joseph Slowik, Father Thomas L, Long, Jr., and Father Eugene Daigle.

Dinga is accused of sexual abuse associated with his time serving at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Norfolk in 1986. He retired in 1990.

Slowik is accused of abuse in connection to service at St. Paul's in Portsmouth in the early 1990s. He was removed from public ministry in 2006.

The allegations against Long stem from his service at the Christ the King Catholic School in Norfolk in 1986. He took a leave of absence in 1988 and has not served in ministry within the Richmond Diocese since that time.

Daigle is facing allegations from time serving at St. Mary's Star of the Sea in Fort Monroe in the late 1970s. He is no longer active in priestly ministry.

Civil authorities have also been notified of these allegations.

Anyone who has been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the diocese can report the abuse directly to law enforcement and by calling the Virginia Clergy Abuse Hotline at (833) 454-9064 or online here.

People can also contact the 24-hour Victim's Assistance Reporting number at (877) 887-9603 or by sending an email to vac@richmonddiocese.org.