Statement to Parishioners Regarding Rev. Brendan Smyth, O.Praem.

Written by Very Rev. Wendelyn Vetter, Vicar General
Diocese of Fargo ND
Read by Rev. Dale H. Kinzler, Pastor
St. Alphonsus Church, Langdon ND
March 5, 1994

Dear Parishioners of St Alphonsus, Langdon and St Edwards, Nekoma

Your parishes were among those served by Fr John Smyth while he was in the Diocese of Fargo. The diocese became aware just recently that Fr Smyth has been charged in Belfast, Ireland with sexual misconduct with a young boy. We are not
aware of the full particulars of the charge. We understand there possibly will be a criminal trial in mid-March in Belfast.

We are truly concerned that similar misconduct may have occurred while Father was serving in your parishes. If you have any knowledge of such conduct, or if you have been the victim of such conduct, please contact us immediately. If you wish, we will treat your report confidentially. The diocese is willing to help anyone who may have been hurt. We urge you to contact any of the following:- your Pastor, Fr Kinzler; Sr Ann O'Brien, telephone 701-235-7279, or myself, Fr Vetter, 701-237-6063. You need not identify yourself, until you are ready to do so.

We are sorry for any hurt and injury that may have been caused. In no way does the diocese condone actions such as this. Do know that our prayers will be with you all during this difficult time.

[Note from BishopAccountability.org: This statement was scanned from Chris Moore, Betrayal of Trust: The Father Brendan Smyth Affair and the Catholic Church (Dublin: Marino Books, 1995), pp. 75-76. Moore's film Suffer Little Children (Dublin: UTV, , contains footage of Kinzler reading the statement from the pulpit.]