The news that shocked North Carolina when a pastor who projected himself a godman for years was accused of molesting a minor girl before 25 years. Though it happened before he joined the Catholic clergy, serious speculations erupted questioning the character of the pastor.
Father Patrick T. Hoare sent a letter to his flock decrying “terrible crimes that were committed by some members of the clergy” shortly after the release of a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury reported decades of child abuse by more than 300 “predator priests.”
“The alleged victim, now an adult, reported his allegations to the diocese yesterday and said he has been in touch with police and social services,” Jugis wrote. “The Charlotte diocese also has been in touch with police and will cooperate in any investigation.”
Jugis stressed that placing Hoare on administrative leave is “standard procedure” and “does not imply guilt.”
“Father Hoare has denied the allegation,” the bishop wrote. “We do not yet know the facts and have no indication of any issues at St. Matthew Church.”
“These reports cause us great pain and in some cases anger toward those entrusted with the authority to administer justice and to keep vulnerable children and adults out of harm’s way,” Hoare wrote in an August 2018 letter that has since been removed off the parish website. “I humbly ask you to pray with us above all for healing and consolation for those who have been harmed, for justice to be done in each case of abuse, and that the hierarchy would decisively institute additional reforms to prevent this from happening again.”
“Our report speaks for itself,” the spokesman, Mark Shade, said
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