Q430 – Should a pastor be removed from a parish when he has been accused of sexual misconduct with an adult female parishioner?

Interview Organization: Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima

Interviewer Name: Christopher P. Wendt

Date: March 13, 2026

Bishop Athanasius Schneider states that if a cleric is accused of wrongdoing, the bishop must investigate. If guilt is proven, the cleric should be removed, punished, and do penance. Pending proof, the cleric may remain or be temporarily reassigned to maintain trust and protect the faithful.

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I think yes, under the condition that it is proven and not a calumny. It must be proven, and the bishop must conduct an investigation. When it is truly proven, and he is found guilty, he must be removed. It is a scandal and a bad example. He must also be punished and do penance for his own soul, to save his soul, to weep for his sins, to have contrition, and to make reparation for the scandal he has caused to that person and to others.

Follow-up Question: Should he remain as pastor until it is proven, or should he be assigned to another place while the matter is being examined?

It must be decided by the bishop. When it is not proven, I think he can remain, since it is not yet proven. But as soon as it is proven, action must be taken. I cannot speak in a general way, because situations differ. The bishop must immediately investigate and clarify the matter. Even when there are already sufficient signs of guilt before a final decision, it is better that he be temporarily removed or transferred to another parish, because the rumors already exist and there is no longer trust, even if he were to be innocent.

Question/ Title

Q430 – Should a pastor be removed from a parish when he has been accused of sexual misconduct with an adult female parishioner?

Q429 – Cardinal Müller has suggested that the situation isn’t urgent enough to justify acting outside the usual jurisdiction. How would you respond to that, or to the Society’s reasoning on this point?

Q428 – Cardinal Sarah would say that the Society should obey the pope and thus not ordain in July, would you say the Society is being disobedient, like the Protestants or Orthodox?

Q427 – Is the papal approval of bishop’s ordination of apostolic origin and therefore an essential part of the deposit of Faith to where it is unchangeable and that it incurs auto-excommunication when not followed or is it a matter of discipline?

Q426 – Can a Catholic attend a Society of Saint Pius X Mass, even after their bishop ordinations, without incurring excommunication?

Q425 – If the SSPX consecrate bishops in July as they have decided necessary, will they truly be in schism as they do not promote heretical teachings nor intend a schismatic act?

Q424 – What advice can you offer for evangelizing to a Muslim friend who is open to learning about Catholicism but has not yet converted?

Q423 – If someone prays multiple rosaries daily, is it necessary to pray the Hail Holy Queen after each one?

Q422 – Is it acceptable to attend Mass at an SSPX chapel, even though some believe the Society does not fully recognize the Pope?

Q421 – If a priest thinks a confessed sin is not actually a sin, is the penitent still absolved, or should they confess it again to another priest?