TX Bishop Calls for Suspension of Msgr. Walter Rossi

Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton announced on Aug. 15 he was launching an investigation into Rossi a year after "concerns were raised in the public sector regarding Monsignor Walter Rossi." An initial investigation by the Washington archdiocese under Cdl. Donald Wuerl resulted in findings that the allegations were not credible. Since then, however, the Washington archdiocese has agreed to conduct another investigation, working jointly with Scranton, into further allegations of sexual misconduct.

Neither bishop, however, has restricted Rossi's ministry, even as the investigation is ongoing — not typical for most priests being investigated for serious allegations of sexual misconduct.

Church Militant consulted an experienced canon lawyer, who noted that, while the allegations don't revolve around abuse of minors, the fact that they involve serious allegations of abuse of adults would permit a bishop to temporarily restrict Rossi's faculties while the investigation takes place.

"If the alleged crime is not sexual abuse of a minor, then canon 1722 measures cannot be imposed prior to the initiation of the penal process," he wrote, "but a similar measure, called administrative revocation of faculties, can be carefully crafted and imposed even before a preliminary penal investigation is closed."

While Bambera would have the authority, as Rossi's ordinary, to temporarily revoke his faculties, Gregory would also have the power to restrict his ministry at the Washington National Shrine, where the archbishop has power to remove or appoint the rector.

Gregory first addressed questions about Rossi publicly at a Theology on Tap session in mid-August, where a young man asked him, "I'm wondering why in that sort of situation he hasn't been removed from active ministry until an investigation can be completed?"

Gregory appeared to defend Rossi in his response: "First of all, in our society, people can be 'proven guilty' by innuendo or by common conversation," going on to say that no victim of Rossi has complained he was harmed by the monsignor.

Gregory made clear he had no intention of removing Rossi from active ministry at the moment.

"It seems to me that the investigation has to come from his bishop, he's a priest of Scranton," said Gregory. "Until that kind of investigation is done, a forensic one, outside investigators — I don't know how we can make a decision until those kinds of investigations are completed."

In August Church Militant contacted CUA to ask if it would remove Rossi from its board of trustees. Spokeswoman Karna Lozoya responded, "The Catholic University of America takes allegations of sexual misconduct and assault on our campus seriously. We have robust reporting policies and procedures," concluding with information on how to report abuse.