ARLINGTON (VA)
Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington
2012-04-18
(ARLINGTON, VA) – Rev. Terry W. Specht, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation of an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a male minor in the late 1990s. The investigation is in its initial phase, and no final determination has yet been made regarding the allegation.
Rev. Specht denies the accusation. The Diocese of Arlington has received no other allegations of misconduct against Rev. Specht. Like all priests, diocesan employees and volunteers who work with children, he underwent an official background check early in his tenure.
Pursuant to the Diocese of Arlington’s child protection policy, the Fairfax County Police Department was notified when the diocese received the allegation, and the diocese is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
The majority lay-person Diocesan Review Board, which advises Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and reviews allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clerics, has been advised of the allegation and will continue to review the information that is gathered during the investigation. Under diocesan policy, any priest with an allegation of abuse or misconduct with a minor that reaches a final determination of credibility is permanently removed from ministry.
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