Diocese Responds to Former Principal’s Lawsuit

By Tyler Bennett
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
September 22, 2020

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2020/09/diocese-responds-to-former-principals-lawsuit/

PARKERSBURG — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston released a statement Monday regarding the civil suit filed by former Parkersburg Catholic High School Principal John Golebiewski, stating the claims against the pastor were not credible.

In the statement released by the Diocese’s spokesperson Tim Bishop, it states the Superintendent of Catholic Schools Mary Ann Deschaine and Father John Rice, designated pastor of Parkersburg Catholic, determined it was in the best interest of the school to have new leadership.

It also states that there were no issues between Rice and Golebiewski in discussions.

The allegations involving Rice were promptly investigated, reviewed by the Diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board and were determined not to be credible abuse claims, the statement said.

When contacted, Rice echoed the statements released by the Diocese.