Announcement from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood

 

2016-10-15
 
Missionaries of the Precious Blood

Cincinnati Province 

Press Release - October 15, 2016

 

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood religious community has received allegations of sexual abuse of minors on the part of two of its priests, both of whom are now deceased. The two priests resided at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Falls Church between 1961 and 1986.  Both allegations, per the policy of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, were shared with law enforcement officials and investigated by the community's Review Board.      

One allegation involved Rev. Richard P. Baird, dating to the time of his service as pastor of St. Anthony from 1961-1971.  Rev. Baird was ordained in 1940 and died in 1996.  This allegation was determined to be credible by the Review Board of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.  

The second allegation involved Rev. Donald Shea, dating to the time when he resided at St. Anthony from 1979-1986 while employed in the Washington, D.C., area.  Rev. Shea also served as chaplain of the Bethany House Retreat Center in Huntly, Va., from 1986-88.  Rev. Shea was ordained in 1953 and died in 2004.  The Review Board of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood determined that the complainant's allegation that he was abused was credible, but the Review Board was unable to determine whether Rev. Shea was the perpetrator.  

Fr. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S., Provincial Director of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood said, "Every person has the right to expect protection and care by the Church.  The Missionaries of the Precious Blood are committed to doing all that we can to ensure the safety of children and the healing of victim-survivors."  

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood invite anyone with knowledge of any inappropriate conduct by a member of the Precious Blood clergy to contact local law enforcement authorities and also to contact Fr. Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S. at (937) 228-9263.  

The Diocese of Arlington also invites anyone with knowledge of inappropriate conduct by a member of the clergy or an employee or volunteer to contact local authorities and the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinators, Patricia Mudd, MSW, ACSW, at (703) 841-2530, or Rosa Colello, M.A., at (703) 841-2579.    

           

Missionaries of the Precious Blood | Cincinnati Province 

www.cpps-preciousblood.org