Youth Apostles priest found not credibly accused of abuse by Fall River Diocese

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Diocese has announced today (November 25, 2019) that an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor made against Father Michael F. Kuhn, Y.A., has been found to be unsubstantiated.

The Diocese received the accusation in October 2018 and, in accord with its policies, placed Father Kuhn on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation of the accusation.

The incident of sexual misconduct was alleged to have occurred in 1975 in Manassas, Virginia, when Father Kuhn was approximately 18 years old, more than 20 years before he was a priest.

Father Kuhn was ordained as a priest of the Fall River Diocese in 1997 for service in the Youth Apostles Institute and had been ministering under the direction of that community outside of the Diocese, in Virginia and Maryland, since 2004.

Manassas City Police were informed of the allegation and declined to prosecute.

The Youth Apostles Institute engaged the services of an investigator in Virginia to investigate the allegation. The information gathered during that investigation was presented to the Fall River Diocese Review Board, and the Review Board determined that, based on the available evidence, a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor had not been made against Father Kuhn. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., accepted the Diocesan Review Board's determination.

Following the decision, Bishop da Cunha has restored the priestly faculties -or the authority to minister as a priest- of Father Kuhn. The specifics regarding his return to ministry will be determined by Father Kuhn and leadership of the Youth Apostles Institute.