Diocesan Review Board Concludes Inquiry into Allegations against Former Priest, Father Thomas Long

Diocese of Richmond
January 28, 2021

https://richmonddiocese.org/diocesan-review-board-concludes-inquiry-into-allegations-against-former-priest-father-thomas-long/

(RICHMOND, Va.) – Following a lengthy investigation by the Diocesan Review Board, Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has determined that the allegations of child sexual abuse made against Thomas Long, a former priest of the diocese, are not credible. For this reason, Long will not have his name added to the diocesan list of clergy against whom credible and substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse have been made. Long voluntarily left active ministry in 1988.

On June 8, 2020, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond announced it had received a report of allegations of child sexual abuse against the former priest. The allegations were reported to civil authorities.

In accordance with the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the diocese conducted an internal investigation of the allegations involving Long. The information gathered was presented to the Diocesan Review Board, which reported its findings and recommendations to Bishop Knestout. The bishop accepted their recommendations and concluded that the allegations were not credible.

Just as the diocese strives to remain transparent when child sexual abuse allegations are brought forward, the diocese will also publicly clear the accused of any wrongdoing when an accused is subjected to unsupported allegations.

The diocesan Child Protection Policy can be viewed online at: https://richmonddiocese.org/diocesan-policies/