For Immediate Release: January 28, 2021 Diocesan Review Board Concludes Inquiry into Allegations Against Former Priest, Father Thomas Long Accusations were made in 2020 (RICHMOND, Va.) – Following a lengthy investigation by the Diocesan Review Board, Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has determined that the allegations of child sexual abuse…

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2021 “As we mark the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we have many for whom to pray: For the woman faced with an unplanned pregnancy, that she will choose life for her child, and for legislative representatives that they enact legislation to protect the lives of all people —…

January 26, 2021 Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond issued the following statement on today’s Virginia House of Delegates passage of abortion expansion legislation: “Today, the House of Delegates made the tragic decision to expand drastically abortion coverage in Virginia’s health benefits…

For Immediate Release: January 26, 2021 Bishop Barry C. Knestout has issued the following statement regarding Catholic Schools Week, which will be celebrated from Jan. 31 – Feb. 6, 2021: “As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we are reminded of the gift that our Catholic schools are, not only to our Church, but to our…

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2021 (RICHMOND, Va.) – The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has begun a review into allegations of child sexual abuse made against a Jesuit priest, Thomas P. McDonnell, S.J., during his time in the Diocese of Richmond at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Henrico County. Father McDonnell served at that…

January 22, 2021 Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond issued the following statement on today’s Virginia Senate passage of abortion expansion legislation: “We express our deep disappointment with today’s Virginia Senate vote to infuse the Commonwealth’s health benefits exchange with abortion for…

January 20, 2021 “We as Catholics, no matter what our political beliefs, pray with and for our new president as he is inaugurated into office. We are one nation under God, and it is incumbent upon us, as people of faith, to entrust our leaders to God’s care. “We pray that all civic leadership can…

Bishop Barry C. Knestout has made the following clergy appointment, effective Friday, Jan. 15, 2021: Very Rev. Eric J. Ayers, V.F., dean of Deanery 1 and pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Norfolk, has been appointed as episcopal vicar of the Eastern Vicariate. Father Ayers will continue in his current role as dean until a new dean…

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2021 “Today, we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy is a testament to the fact that change for the good is always possible because God is always with us. “In the times of uncertainty and anxiety the nation is facing due to the…

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2021 RICHMOND, Va. – The Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, bishop of Richmond, announces that the Catholic Diocese of Richmond remains in compliance with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The report from the independent auditor covers the 2019-2020 audit…