The Rev. Patrick Hoare’s removal as pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church amid accusations of misconduct involving youth was justified under church law, the Vatican City-based government of the Roman Catholic Church has ruled.

St. Matthew in Ballantyne is the largest Catholic parish in Charlotte and among the biggest in the U.S.

Charlotte Catholic Bishop Michael Martin revealed the Holy See’s ruling in a statement to St. Matthew parishioners published Thursday in the diocesan newspaper, Catholic News Herald.

The Holy See ruled on Hoare’s appeal of his removal in 2020 by then-Charlotte Catholic Bishop Peter Jugis.

Allegations against popular priest

Hoare’s removal followed a review by the diocese’s Lay Review Board of “specific claims of boundary violations with minors.” The board found “a semblance of truth” to the allegations, Martin wrote.

Jugis placed Hoare on administrative leave in December 2019 based on decades-old allegations of sexual abuse of a minor…